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May calls for Brexit talks to accelerate and intensify – Politics live Barnier says 'huge and serious' gap remains between UK and EU demands on Brexit – Politics live
(35 minutes later)
The man who is said to be the real prime minister of Italy, the interior minister Matteo Salvini, has said of last night’s summit conclusions on Italian radio this morning:
I won’t trust words, let’s see what concrete commitments are [taken].
Sounds a bit ominous.
There has been increasing speculation that Theresa May will propose a Brexit outcome that would effectively keep the UK in the single market for goods. If she does, according to Business Insider’s Adam Payne, the EU will say no.
Exclusive: The EU will reject any UK proposal to stay in the single market for goods, a source close to Michel Barnier told me. With just 6 weeks of Cabinet negotiating left, the Brexit proposal May has reportedly been considering is dead prior to arrival. https://t.co/n1uwxWVaVB
Dalia Grybauskaitė, the president of Lithuania, told reporters in Brussels that it was clear that a “hard landing” for the UK was “on the table” but that, even should the talks breakdown, she was confident that the UK would continue to be a close security partner.
She added that it was “in nobody’s interests” to have a no deal.
This is what Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said in full when he spoke to reporters as he arrived for this morning’s meeting.
On Brexit, we have made progress, but huge and serious divergence remains, in particular on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
After Brexit, we want, the EU want, an EU-UK ambitious partnership, on trade as well as on security.
But we have to base this partnership on our values and principles, respecting also the UK red lines. That means for us integrity of the single market, indivisibility of the four freedoms, autonomy of the decision making of the EU, and protection and respect of the fundamental rights of EU citizens. And this point is key for our future cooperation and security.
Now we are waiting for the UK white paper. And I hope it will contain workable and realistic proposals.
But let me mention once again that time is very short. We want a deal, and are working for a deal, but time is short and I’m ready to invite the UK delegation to come back and present next Monday.
He took just one question, about citizens’ rights, and said that this was a matter where agreement had already been reached in the draft treaty.
So, in news terms, that means:
Barnier said a “huge and serious” gap remains between UK and EU demands on Brexit, especially on Ireland.
He restated the EU’s commitment to the four freedoms and the autonomy of EU decision making, in what sounded like a refusal to concede to the request Theresa May made yesterday for more cooperation from the EU on security matters after Brexit.
He said the EU was still waiting to hear what the UK wants.
He urged May to ensure that the plans in her white paper are “workable and realistic”.
He stressed that there was little time in which to reach a deal.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is speaking to journalists at the EU summit.Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is speaking to journalists at the EU summit.
He says there has been progress in the talks. But there are huge problems to be solved on Ireland, he says.He says there has been progress in the talks. But there are huge problems to be solved on Ireland, he says.
He insists that EU remains committed to its red lines, stressing the integrity of the four freedoms.He insists that EU remains committed to its red lines, stressing the integrity of the four freedoms.
He says the EU is still waiting to hear what the UK wants.He says the EU is still waiting to hear what the UK wants.
And he ends by saying there is not much time.And he ends by saying there is not much time.
Time is very short.Time is very short.
I’ll post the quotes in a moment.I’ll post the quotes in a moment.
On the Today programme this morning Matt Hancock, the culture minister, was asked about next week’s meeting at Chequers, where the cabinet will be asked to agree what’s in the government white paper on Brexit being published the following week.On the Today programme this morning Matt Hancock, the culture minister, was asked about next week’s meeting at Chequers, where the cabinet will be asked to agree what’s in the government white paper on Brexit being published the following week.
In the interview Hancock clearly aligned himself with Greg Clark, the business secretary, and Theresa May on the subject of whether the party should be listening to the voice of business, against figures like Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, and Iain Duncan Smith, the former party leader, who have all in one way or another been suggesting the opposite. Hancock said:In the interview Hancock clearly aligned himself with Greg Clark, the business secretary, and Theresa May on the subject of whether the party should be listening to the voice of business, against figures like Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, and Iain Duncan Smith, the former party leader, who have all in one way or another been suggesting the opposite. Hancock said:
I think that the Conservative party is the party of business and of prosperity, or we are nothing.I think that the Conservative party is the party of business and of prosperity, or we are nothing.
Leaders from the EU 27 are now arriving (slightly later than planned, after yesterday’s virtual all-nighter) for today’s talks. You can watch a live feed of the arrivals here.Leaders from the EU 27 are now arriving (slightly later than planned, after yesterday’s virtual all-nighter) for today’s talks. You can watch a live feed of the arrivals here.
They are talking about Brexit. Theresa May, of course, isn’t invited to these discussions, and she is on her way home.They are talking about Brexit. Theresa May, of course, isn’t invited to these discussions, and she is on her way home.
Here is the full text (pdf) of what was agreed at the European council yesterday. It is mostly about migration and it does not refer to Brexit.Here is the full text (pdf) of what was agreed at the European council yesterday. It is mostly about migration and it does not refer to Brexit.
But there was a Brexit-related decision yesterday. The council agreed to re-allocated some of the 73 seats in the European parliament that will become vacant when the UK leaves. Most will go, cutting the size of the parliament from 751 MEPs to 705 MEPs, but 27 will be reallocated. According to the commission, this is how they will be divided up.But there was a Brexit-related decision yesterday. The council agreed to re-allocated some of the 73 seats in the European parliament that will become vacant when the UK leaves. Most will go, cutting the size of the parliament from 751 MEPs to 705 MEPs, but 27 will be reallocated. According to the commission, this is how they will be divided up.
The 27 seats will be distributed to France (+5), Spain (+5), Italy (+3), Netherlands (+3), Ireland (+2), Sweden (+1), Austria (+1), Denmark (+1), Finland (+1), Slovakia (+1), Croatia (+1), Estonia (+1), Poland (+1) and Romania (+1). No member state will lose any seats.The 27 seats will be distributed to France (+5), Spain (+5), Italy (+3), Netherlands (+3), Ireland (+2), Sweden (+1), Austria (+1), Denmark (+1), Finland (+1), Slovakia (+1), Croatia (+1), Estonia (+1), Poland (+1) and Romania (+1). No member state will lose any seats.
The BBC’s Adam Fleming has more on what the EU leaders agreed on migration.The BBC’s Adam Fleming has more on what the EU leaders agreed on migration.
What did Conte get? From a quick read of the new #EUCO conclusions on migration the main things that jump out are: (1) new language on boats operating in the Med. pic.twitter.com/4Ih3F4pJT9What did Conte get? From a quick read of the new #EUCO conclusions on migration the main things that jump out are: (1) new language on boats operating in the Med. pic.twitter.com/4Ih3F4pJT9
(2) Paragraph six is the biggie - controlled processing centres in the EU (previous drafts only talked about facilities outside the EU). Note all the caveats. pic.twitter.com/C2RHJtN6I3(2) Paragraph six is the biggie - controlled processing centres in the EU (previous drafts only talked about facilities outside the EU). Note all the caveats. pic.twitter.com/C2RHJtN6I3
(3) And was this the quid pro quo for being tougher at home - being friendlier abroad? pic.twitter.com/LPf0RQJCtS(3) And was this the quid pro quo for being tougher at home - being friendlier abroad? pic.twitter.com/LPf0RQJCtS
Spain’s new prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has welcomed the migration deal, saying the EU is “starting to head in the right direction”. He tweeted:Spain’s new prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has welcomed the migration deal, saying the EU is “starting to head in the right direction”. He tweeted:
It was important for us to reach an agreement and that’s what we did in the European council in the early hours of today. The European Union is starting to head in the right direction: giving a European perspective on the European challenge that is migration.It was important for us to reach an agreement and that’s what we did in the European council in the early hours of today. The European Union is starting to head in the right direction: giving a European perspective on the European challenge that is migration.
Era importante llegar a un acuerdo y esta madrugada, en el Consejo Europeo, lo hemos conseguido. La UE comienza a caminar en la dirección necesaria: dar una perspectiva europea a un desafío europeo como es la migración.Era importante llegar a un acuerdo y esta madrugada, en el Consejo Europeo, lo hemos conseguido. La UE comienza a caminar en la dirección necesaria: dar una perspectiva europea a un desafío europeo como es la migración.
In Ireland the Europe minister, Helen McEntee, said the Irish government is planning for the “best outcome” but “preparing for the worst” following Brexit.In Ireland the Europe minister, Helen McEntee, said the Irish government is planning for the “best outcome” but “preparing for the worst” following Brexit.
It was agreed that a meeting of the British-Irish interGovernmental conference will take place on 25 July. It will be the first time the bilateral platform for cooperation on all levels has happened since 2007.It was agreed that a meeting of the British-Irish interGovernmental conference will take place on 25 July. It will be the first time the bilateral platform for cooperation on all levels has happened since 2007.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar held a 30 minute meeting with Theresa May on the margins of the Brussels summit last night.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar held a 30 minute meeting with Theresa May on the margins of the Brussels summit last night.
McEntee told RTE’s Morning Ireland that Varadkar highlighted concern there was no progress on the issued and that there would be no deal in October.McEntee told RTE’s Morning Ireland that Varadkar highlighted concern there was no progress on the issued and that there would be no deal in October.
But, judging by pictures from the meeting, the mood wasn’t all grim, and the pair seem to have found something to laugh about. (Perhaps it was a joke from McEntee, who was in the room, although in this shot we’ve only got her knees.)But, judging by pictures from the meeting, the mood wasn’t all grim, and the pair seem to have found something to laugh about. (Perhaps it was a joke from McEntee, who was in the room, although in this shot we’ve only got her knees.)
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Kate.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Kate.
The EU summit talks last night focused on migration, but Brexit has not vanished as a problem and, as she left the meeting in the early hours of the morning, Theresa May said that she wanted to see the Brexit talks accelerate and intensify. She told reporters:The EU summit talks last night focused on migration, but Brexit has not vanished as a problem and, as she left the meeting in the early hours of the morning, Theresa May said that she wanted to see the Brexit talks accelerate and intensify. She told reporters:
We are going to be publishing our white paper shortly and I want to see the negotiations accelerating and intensifying thereafter.We are going to be publishing our white paper shortly and I want to see the negotiations accelerating and intensifying thereafter.
And on the subject of the migration conclusions, she said:And on the subject of the migration conclusions, she said:
We have come to positive conclusions, a lot of them around what the United Kingdom has been encouraging for some time, which is taking more action upstream in countries of origin so that we can ensure that people aren’t having to make and aren’t making these very dangerous journeys, often travelling many miles, often at the hands of the people smugglers and making the dangerous trips across the Mediterranean where we still see some people dying.We have come to positive conclusions, a lot of them around what the United Kingdom has been encouraging for some time, which is taking more action upstream in countries of origin so that we can ensure that people aren’t having to make and aren’t making these very dangerous journeys, often travelling many miles, often at the hands of the people smugglers and making the dangerous trips across the Mediterranean where we still see some people dying.
This is from Gavin Barwell, May’s chief of staff.This is from Gavin Barwell, May’s chief of staff.
PM being interviewed by @BethRigby as we leave European Council at 5.15am pic.twitter.com/9nB6Zp0WhNPM being interviewed by @BethRigby as we leave European Council at 5.15am pic.twitter.com/9nB6Zp0WhN
In an early morning radio show Matteo Salvini, the Italian interior minister, adopted a “wait and see” approach.In an early morning radio show Matteo Salvini, the Italian interior minister, adopted a “wait and see” approach.
He said real progress had been made on protection of the EU’s external borders, and investment in Africa. But he refrained from making the same bold pronouncements that the summit had been a big success for Italy.He said real progress had been made on protection of the EU’s external borders, and investment in Africa. But he refrained from making the same bold pronouncements that the summit had been a big success for Italy.
Instead, he focused on the role he claimed his government had played in setting the agenda, and alleged it was the first time that Italy had been willing to stand up to its EU partners, especially France, in discussions that lasted well into the morning.Instead, he focused on the role he claimed his government had played in setting the agenda, and alleged it was the first time that Italy had been willing to stand up to its EU partners, especially France, in discussions that lasted well into the morning.
It is unlikely that Salvini would attack the deal while the ink was still drying on the agreement: he is a major player in the far-right/populist alliance and any major criticism would provoke accusations that he was creating a rift.It is unlikely that Salvini would attack the deal while the ink was still drying on the agreement: he is a major player in the far-right/populist alliance and any major criticism would provoke accusations that he was creating a rift.
But he also emphasised that ports in Italy would remain closed to NGOs who had rescued migrants, signalling he was not willing to backdown from a position that has created tensions with other EU partners and provoked accusations that Italy was violating international humanitarian laws.But he also emphasised that ports in Italy would remain closed to NGOs who had rescued migrants, signalling he was not willing to backdown from a position that has created tensions with other EU partners and provoked accusations that Italy was violating international humanitarian laws.
Salvini’s hardline rhetoric and actions have won him popularity in Italy, and he has seen a big jump in his approval numbers since the 4 March election. He is unlikely to tone down his demonisation of NGOs and migrants now.Salvini’s hardline rhetoric and actions have won him popularity in Italy, and he has seen a big jump in his approval numbers since the 4 March election. He is unlikely to tone down his demonisation of NGOs and migrants now.
On Friday morning, Günther Oettinger, the European commissioner for budget and human resources, hailed the outcome of the summit as a “genuine breakthrough”.On Friday morning, Günther Oettinger, the European commissioner for budget and human resources, hailed the outcome of the summit as a “genuine breakthrough”.
“I believe there are good reasons why the CSU will recognise this as big step in the right direction”, Oettinger told German radio. “We in the CDU will recognise it as a big step in the right direction”.Former Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz said the agreement was a “pragmatic” decision which should convince interior minister Horst Seehofer, who has threatened to start turning away migrants already registered in other EU states at German borders should Merkel not come up with a European solution by the start of July.Schulz, a former president of the European parliament, bemoaned that the summit’s joint agreements came far too late: “What has been concluded now should have been concluded years ago”.“I believe there are good reasons why the CSU will recognise this as big step in the right direction”, Oettinger told German radio. “We in the CDU will recognise it as a big step in the right direction”.Former Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz said the agreement was a “pragmatic” decision which should convince interior minister Horst Seehofer, who has threatened to start turning away migrants already registered in other EU states at German borders should Merkel not come up with a European solution by the start of July.Schulz, a former president of the European parliament, bemoaned that the summit’s joint agreements came far too late: “What has been concluded now should have been concluded years ago”.
He predicted that a “coalition of the willing”, consisting at least of Germany, France and Spain, would set up bigger processing centres for asylum seekers inside the EU, and called for more money from the EU budget for those who volunteer to take an active role.He predicted that a “coalition of the willing”, consisting at least of Germany, France and Spain, would set up bigger processing centres for asylum seekers inside the EU, and called for more money from the EU budget for those who volunteer to take an active role.