On Thursday 2 February, the British government published a White Paper on Brexit – a 72-page document which sets outs London's 12 priorities for its future negotiations with the EU. As British Prime Minister Theresa May had announced on 17 January, the United Kingdom will leave the single market, but will try to negotiate a free trade agreement with the EU. And in the White Paper, the government also says that it will not close the country to EU nationals.
The White Paper states that the time needed for implementing the new arrangements with the Europeans will depend on the areas concerned – for example, immigration control or the customs system.
The Paper sets out the basis of the discussions for the 12 priorities – bringing clarity, taking control on national laws, strengthening the Union (Ed: the cohesion between the different nations of the UK), protecting the strong links with Northern Ireland and maintaining the common area of movement, but also controlling immigration and securing the rights of UK nationals like those of the British in the EU. Cooperation on counter-terrorism and organised crime is also a priority.
As regards migration, the White Paper states that migrants have been valuable to the UK and have benefited the country. The country will therefore stay open to migrants, including those from EU countries – but more specifically, to highly qualified migrants. The country will also remain open to migrants coming to the UK legally, but the last decade has seen migration rates rise too greatly, with an impact on public services, the document states.
The government reiterates in its White Paper that it does not want to adopt an already-existing relationship model and will make it its priority to obtain as free a trade relationship with the EU as possible. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)