On Friday 7 October, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said that he was not unaware of the manoeuvres of the British government to schmooze the industrial sector of the continent on the quiet, with a view to the forthcoming negotiations on Brexit.
In a speech in Paris on the political future of the EU, as part of a debate arranged by the Jacques Delors Institute, Juncker said he could clearly see the manoeuvres that the United Kingdom, its government and various circles close to it were currently carrying out. He added that they were explaining to the industrial sector of the continent that they will still need relations to be as peaceful as possible with the EU27 once Brexit has been signed off.
Juncker warned of the aim behind these ambitions. "Whole swathes of European industry should not be engaging in secret talks in darkened rooms, with the curtains drawn, with envoys of the British government then coming in a year's time to see Michel (Ed: Barnier) and the Commission and Council, telling them [that] the freedom of movement of people is just a tiny little thing, given the scope of the advantages we have to gain from our trade relations with the UK", he stressed.
He took pains to reiterate the fact that the position of principle being defended was that the freedom of movement of people cannot be sacrificed on the altar of negotiations with London. He said that if we start to unravel the single market, then we will be ushering in the end of Europe, of its guiding principles and everything that gives Europe its greatness and, ultimately, its success. "We must stand our ground", he stressed. (Original version in French by Jan Kordys)