The European Council should determine that “sufficient progress”
has not been made on the EU’s three key aims - safeguarding EU
and UK citizens’ rights, clarifying the UK’s financial
commitments and resolving the Republic of Ireland/Northern
Ireland border issue - unless the fifth round of talks delivers a
major breakthrough on them, says a draft resolution endorsed by
Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (EP President and political
group leaders) on Thursday.
The motion, drawn up by Parliament’s Brexit
Steering Group, will be debated and put to a vote by the full
house next Tuesday.
Parliament’s President said "We welcome the
constructive approach of Prime Minister May in her recent speech
in Florence. The protection of citizens' rights is the absolute
priority for the European Parliament. The
withdrawal agreement should maintain the full set of rights that
citizens currently enjoy, as defined in relevant European Union
legislation. Additional guarantees that EU law will
be respected until the withdrawal of the UK is a fact are also
key to ensuring a rapid conclusion of the first phase of the
negotiations."
EP coordinator for Brexit Guy Verhofstadt added: "Prime
Minister May opened the door to progress in her speech in
Florence on September 22, for example on the role of the European
Court of Justice. But we would like to see the UK government
provide greater clarity. We are still waiting for answers on
vital issues, such as how to keep Northern Ireland in the customs
union, or how to find a special arrangement that will prevent a
hardening of the border. Regarding citizens' rights and the
financial settlement, we are waiting for concrete answers to the
proposals made by the EU negotiating team."
Quick facts
Members will debate the motion with EU Commission President
and Chief Negotiator
on Brexit on Tuesday. The
resolution as voted will set out Parliament’s input to the 20
October EU27 summit in Brussels, when government leaders will
assess progress in the Brexit negotiations.
Any withdrawal agreement at the end of the UK-EU negotiations
will need to win the approval of the European Parliament.
Further information:
Draft resolution (English
only)
EP Brexit Steering group
website:
EP resolution of 5 April
2017 on negotiations with the UK following its notification to
withdraw from the EU
Red lines on Brexit
negotiations - press release
More information on EP and
Brexit
Audiovisual material
Brexit negotiations [What
Think Tanks are thinking] September 2017
