Brexit

MEPs urge UK to break current #Brexit deadlock

Published

7 years ago

February 1, 2019

European Union and British Union Jack flag flying in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament at Westminster Palace, London. ©AP images/European Union - EP

Members reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to protect peace, stability and the integrity of the internal market in Wednesday’s (30 January) debate on Brexit.

During the debate, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker reaffirmed that “the withdrawal agreement, approved by both parties, is the best and only possible deal”.

The majority of MEPs who took the floor underlined the EU’s need to continue preparing for a no-deal scenario and made clear that the backstop was needed to ensure that there is no return to a hard border in Ireland, to secure peace and stability and to preserve the integrity of the single market.

They were supported by Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit chief negotiator, who stated: “It is not a dogmatic position, it is a realistic solution to a problem caused by the decision of the UK to leave the EU”. MEPs also underlined that a broad, positive majority was needed to break the current deadlock and they reaffirmed that, were the UK to suggest it, the EU is open to considering a closer, deeper future relationship.

Speakers’ interventions are available by clicking on the links below.

Melania CIOT, Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, for the Romanian Presidency

Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the European Commission

Michel BARNIER, European Commission Chief Negotiator

Elmar BROK (EPP, DE)

Roberto GUALTIERI (S&D, IT)

Ashley FOX (ECR, UK)

Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE)

Molly SCOTT CATO (Greens/EFA, UK)

Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE)

Nigel FARAGE (EFDD, UK)

Gerard BATTEN (ENF, UK)