In a letter to members of the British Parliament (and to Michael Tomlinson in particular) on the situation of European nationals in the United Kingdom and British citizens currently in the rest of the EU, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said that uncertainty and anxiety were not caused by the attitude of the rest of Europe to the negotiations on Brexit, but by Brexit itself and the fact that article 50 of the Treaty of the EU has still not been triggered.
In a written response published on his website, the President of the European Council sweeps aside the UK parliamentarians' assertions that the strategy followed in particular by Michel Barnier, the Commission's negotiator-in-chief, not to negotiate before it has been triggered, is the cause of anxiety and uncertainty.
"Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit?", Tusk asked, adding that the only way to dissipate the fears and concerns of the citizens concerned is the "quickest possible start of the negotiations based on article 50 of the Treaty?".
In his letter, the President of the European Council stresses that he is equally keen to ensure that citizens are not used as bargaining chips in negotiations and that in order to avoid this, there is a need to move towards solutions offering solid guarantees of security.
Tusk also reminded MPs that for as long as the UK stays in the EU, the rights of European citizens will be guaranteed, as will those of British citizens living in other member states. And that will continue to be the case in the future for nationals choosing to continue to live in theses member states. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)