This Thursday 9 and Friday 10 November, the EU and British negotiators will meet for a new session of talks on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU.
The EU negotiator, Michel Barnier, is hoping for breakthroughs in the three main areas of the first part of the separation: citizens' rights, Ireland and the financial settlement.
On Tuesday 7 November, the British government clarified its proposals on the rights of citizens affected by Brexit and, in a new document, outlined how Europeans already present before Brexit may be able to see their residence rights protected. London is planning facilitated procedures for them and most Europeans already present in the UK, who will be authorised to remain in the country after Brexit, the British government said on Tuesday.
According to the document sent to the European negotiating teams on Tuesday, EU nationals will have a period of two years to apply for a new status after the UK leaves the Community. Most residence applications will be granted and refusals on technical grounds will not be permitted. The cost of the application should also be equivalent to the cost of a British passport and applicants will have a right of appeal in the event of refusal, in line with the rights currently afforded by the European directive on the freedom of movement of the citizens.
Mid-afternoon on Wednesday, the ambassadors of the 27 countries of the EU (Coreper) were also to meet in 'article 50' format to continue their internal discussions on the future relationship with London. In particular, they were expected to discuss the transition period called for by Prime Minister Theresa May, in Florence on 22 September (see EUROPE 11868).
According to Reuters, Coreper was to discuss documents explaining that the UK will have no decision-making voice during this transition period and will remain subject to European legislation, as Barnier has already publicly recommended.
European Parliament not satisfied
The European Parliament steering group, chaired by Parliament's coordinator for Brexit, has reacted to the new British proposals and found them wanting. "We do not recognise the press reports suggesting that an agreement on citizens' rights is almost finalised. There are considerable problems still to be resolved", the group said in a press release.
Our main concern lies in the UK's proposal concerning the status of EU citizens in the UK, including administrative procedures set out in a technical note published by the British government on Tuesday, it goes on to explain.
Parliament believes that acquiring a permanent status should be an automatic process in the form of a simple declaration, rather than an application bringing in any kind of conditionality (for instance a proactive criminal records check). Families should be allowed to make a joint declaration, rather than separate ones for each member of the family, and the burden of proof should be on the British authorities to challenge the declaration, which should furthermore be permitted solely on a case-by-case basis and in line with EU law. The application should, moreover, be free of charge and enter into force only after a transition period, if it has been asked for and agreed to. Before then, the freedom of movement should apply, the steering group stresses. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)