Šefčovič: To show we are serious, the Commission presented a robust package of BREXIT solutions!!! скачать в хорошем качестве

Šefčovič: To show we are serious, the Commission presented a robust package of BREXIT solutions!!!

EU gets tough with UK over post-Brexit citizens' rights! Vice-President Šefčovič after the meeting of the Joint Committee of the Withdrawal Agreement: Together with UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, we have just concluded our ninth meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. It was a good moment to assess where we are, as a lot has happened since our last Joint Committee, more than eight months ago. #eudebates #debates #BREXIT #negotiations #Ireland We have intensified our talks, particularly on ways to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. To show we are serious, the Commission presented a robust package of far-reaching, impactful and durable solutions with the core purpose of benefitting the people and businesses in Northern Ireland. The Commission also delivered on medicines, by tabling legislative proposals to ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland has access to the same medicines at the same time as in the rest of the United Kingdom. My objective remains the same – to provide Northern Ireland, and all stakeholders on the ground, with stability, predictability and opportunities, stemming from the Protocol. Ultimately, this is the only way to protect the hard-earned gains of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in all its dimensions, while avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, and minimising disruptions caused by Brexit, without compromising the integrity of the EU's Single Market. Let me walk you through what we discussed today, beginning with the issue of citizens' rights, the Commission's top priority from day one. I reiterated that protecting citizens' rights remained of paramount importance. And this is indeed the case for most aspects. However, I expressed concerns over two outstanding issues, or implementation deficiencies, if you will: The loss of residence status if an EU citizen does not apply in time to progress from pre-settled to settled status. And the lack of legal certainty for EU citizens with a new residence status, as to whether their rights are guaranteed by the Withdrawal Agreement or by UK immigration law. I had to regret the UK's position on both issues so far, and I will consider our next steps. Turning to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: we took stock of the intensified talks that have taken place over the last few months. In short, I would describe them as neither a breakthrough, nor a breakdown. So hard work continues. With Liz Truss, we are determined to keep our eyes on the ball to find durable solutions for the benefit of Northern Ireland. You will have seen our joint statement to that effect. My team will continue to work flat out on the outstanding issues within the Protocol, while particularly building on the far-reaching solutions that the EU presented to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol. These solutions offer remarkable simplification and a big permanent impact on the ground. My continued outreach to Northern Irish businesses, civil society and institutional actors has reassured me that we should stay laser-focused on practical solutions, particularly on the area of customs and the movement of sanitary and phytosanitary goods. I can see that all stakeholders want us to succeed. And this also remains the EU's intention. Today's current challenging times call, more than ever before, for a strong partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom. https://eudebates.tv/ #eudebates Today, the European Union and the United Kingdom held their ninth meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee in Brussels, and updated each other on the state of play in accordance with Article 164 of the Withdrawal Agreement. The meeting focused on citizens' rights and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (the ‘Protocol'). Guaranteeing the rights of UK nationals resident in the EU and of EU citizens resident in the UK has always been a top priority for both sides. The implementation of the citizens' rights Part of the Withdrawal Agreement is therefore of particular importance. While most aspects of the citizens' rights Part are being implemented satisfactorily, both sides raised issues requiring further attention. In relation to the Protocol, Vice-President Šefčovič and Foreign Secretary Truss underlined that the UK and EU share an overriding commitment to protect the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement of 10 April 1998 in all its dimensions. Vice-President Šefčovič and Foreign Secretary Truss took stock of the intensified and constructive talks that have taken place between them over the last months. They underlined the ongoing determination of both parties to ensure that the outstanding issues in the context of the Protocol are addressed, and durable solutions found for the benefit of citizens, businesses and stability in Northern Ireland.