European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, speaking in Dublin on Thursday 21 June, called on the UK government to make major efforts to reach a solution to the Irish issue, with EU leaders due next week to assess the progress made in negotiations.
Varadkar, hosting Juncker and EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, said that, according to this latter, there remain “serious divergences” over the Ireland/Northern Ireland border and on other matters.
The withdrawal agreement which, according to the EU and UK work timetable, is to be concluded by the autumn must include “a legally binding safety net” to make sure that there will be no physical border between the two Irelands. A time-limited safety net/backstop, as proposed by the UK government, is not an option. “A backstop cannot have an expiry date”, Varadkar said.
Juncker made it very clear that the 27 member states stood united and that Ireland is not isolated but is backed by the other 26 countries.
“We expect the United Kingdom to honour its commitments”, Varadkar stated. UK Prime Minister has twice promised – in December and again in March – to implement the European backstop option if no better alternative is found.
European affairs ministers, meeting in Article 50 format in Luxembourg on Tuesday 26 June, will take stock of the negotiations.
Simplified procedures for European citizens. On Thursday 21 June, the UK government announced that EU citizens resident in the United Kingdom before the end of the transition period would be able to begin applying for settled status as early as this autumn. The aim is for the procedure to by fully up and running by March of next year, Home Secretary Sajid Javid told a House of Lords committee.
Applications for settled status may be made online or via a smartphone app. Applicants will have to prove their identity, give proof of their address in the UK and have no convictions for serious offences. No minimum level of income will be required.
EU nationals will have until 30 June 2021 to make their applications. Those who have lived in the country for at least five years at that date can apply for permanent residence. The others may be granted leave to remain until they have, at which point they can seek settled status. The cost will be £65 (€74) and £32.50 for children under 16. Irish citizens will not need to apply for settled status. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)