The European Union and the UK have signed a divorce agreement. Chancellor Merkel is holding for a “diplomatic feat”. The Prime Minister May want to fight. From Brussels Bernd Riegert.
“This is a sad day,” said the President of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker in just two hours short of the special summit of the 27 EU member States, with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May. “If a country leaves the Union, that is not a reason to Cheer. It is a tragedy.”
The agreement on the withdrawal of the British from the EU after 46 years of membership, and a Declaration on the future of relations were unanimously approved. A festive mood came after 21 months of tough negotiations. “It wasn’t about who won or lost,” said the host of the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of the Meeting in Brussels of Europe-building. “It is not the time for champagne. A divorce is never easy, as many of you know,” added Jean-Claude Juncker.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her press conference after the Meeting of a historic day, the trip very ambivalent feelings. “There is sadness, but also some relief.” It is an example, finally managed to loose the “diplomatic feat”, because the interests of all sides could be taken into account. Donald Tusk said that friendship with the United Kingdom will not end after the divorce. “We will remain friends until the end of days, and a day.”
Agree about the outlet, and Council President Tusk and Prime Minister May
May are aggressive
This sad mood can not relate to the British Prime Minister, Theresa May. “We unleash now have a great future outside the European Union,” she promised the British, who were at home to track their press conference live. “I address myself directly to you,” said May, and advantageous trade promised agreements around the globe. “We will gain control back”. Before Christmas, the British Parliament will vote. Until then, there will be a “crucial national debate”, in which they all will. The Prime Minister is well aware that there are home biting criticism of the divorce agreement with the EU. Renegotiations will not give it. “This is the best Deal. And the only possible one.” On the question of whether it would occur in the event of a defeat in Parliament, not a Theresa May. “It’s not about me.”
The Prime Minister May, promises a bright future: billion for the healthcare system and the farmers
Stick would be better
“The best for Ireland and for great Britain it would be if they remained in the EU, in the internal market and the customs Union,” said the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, whose state is only a land border with the United Kingdom – the “third country” – will have. “The agreement makes it possible, in a transitional phase, a new agreement between the EU and the UK to negotiate. If that is not successful, there is a fallback position, a ‘Backstop’, which enables the smooth transport of goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland,” said Varadkar.
This “Backstop” had been struggling for months. The hardliners in the conservative party of the Prime Minister May reject the scheme because the United Kingdom could remain, theoretically, for an indefinite period of time in a customs Union with the EU coupled.
Negotiate until the end of 2020
Overall, the divorce agreement and the policy statement to allow an orderly withdrawal of the British from the EU. A so-called hard Brexit, with chaotic consequences for the economy and travel between the island and the continent can be avoided. The solution of the problems, so a future trade and cooperation agreement, however, was only postponed until the end of 2020, my sceptical EU diplomats. Immediately after the Brexit on the 29. March 2019 is set to begin, therefore, the negotiations between the EU and the former member of the UK over a Pact for the future.
The parties will not be until the summer of 2020, may be extended, the transition phase is unique to one or two years. “The Agreement today is just another necessary step in an unprecedented way, to build trust,” said the cautious EU-Brexit-dealer Michel Barnier.
Much quicker agreement on the fisheries should be completed in British territorial waters. The neighboring country of France had urged. All the arrangements in the British rock of Gibraltar at the southern tip of Spain, should be closely with Spain matched. This desire of the Spanish government, have been complied with at the last Minute.
Chancellor Merkel: Very mixed feelings
The consent of the British Parliament is uncertain
The question that hung over this Exit summit, and of all the journalists, but nobody really answered was, is this: What happens if the British Parliament rejects the beginning of December the divorce agreement with the EU? The probability is large, because the British Prime Minister, Theresa May would have, according to current census, no majority in the lower house. Her coalition partner, the Northern Ireland unionist party (DUP), rejected the today confirmed agreement. The DUP is threatening even with the end of the tolerated government from Theresa May.
On the question of how the EU would react if the deal falls through, replied EU-Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to sit with the telling sentence: “If the donkey were a cat, he would all day in the tree crown.” This was the only possible Deal. Renegotiations are not provided, so Juncker.
The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, was there something concrete. If the should say in the house no, see, he has three options: a new Referendum, new elections or the Desire to negotiate more.
Some EU diplomats, who are familiar with the Brexit negotiations, do not see this quite so strictly. “Of course, the EU would negotiate until the last Minute, somehow, because we don’t want to be at the end of blame, if it came to a hard Brexit without agreement,” said an EU Diplomat. “The British say when it’s over.”
Tajani uses the favor of the hour
The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, announced that the Parliament of the Brexit Deal is the vote in January. The consent of a simple majority is necessary.
More attention than with this message of conservative Tajani attracted with its clear commitment to the “world day against violence against women”: During his press conference, he painted with a bright red lipstick, a bow under his left eye.
EU Parliament President Tajani shows solidarity with women: red line under the eye
Next Crisis: Italy
The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave to the Brexit Deal is already a foretaste of the next crisis, which is expected in the EU. Conte had asked EU Commission President Juncker more time and negotiations to the budget dispute with Brussels to settle. The EU Commission has rejected the draft budget of the populist government in Rome. In the next few weeks, a formal criminal case against Italy is to be opened.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented on the dispute this way: “We trust the EU Commission and hope for a good outcome.”