The scenario of a no-deal Brexit cannot yet be ruled out, said Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, on Thursday 6 December. “To avoid this scenario, it is now up to everyone to take responsibility”, he added.
During a two-hour debate at the European Committee of the Regions on the impact of Brexit, Michel Barnier stressed that "without ratification, there will be no withdrawal agreement or transition period”.
After interventions by local elected officials, he said, "I cannot take sides in the British debate. In my opinion, the agreements on the table are the only and best possible way to organise an orderly withdrawal.”
The British parliamentarians will have to vote on the withdrawal agreement and the text of the political declaration on 11 December (the date is maintained at this stage). “This vote is a commitment to the future of their country", Mr. Barnier said.
Mr Barnier reiterated that the balanced agreement on Brexit "is the only and best possible". However, he considered that this negotiation is "negative, because Brexit has no added value, it is just necessary to limit its consequences”.
Citizens' rights. He defended the “positive and reciprocal” agreement to guarantee the security of 4.5 million citizens on both sides. “The rights acquired by these citizens until the end of 2020 will be guaranteed for themselves, their families and for the rest of their lives, if the treaty is implemented”, Mr Barnier said. If there is no agreement, we will have to take “unilateral measures for our part, but we are not in this state of mind".
On the future relationship, Mr Barnier said that if, during the two-year negotiation, the British evolve in their request, "we are ready to adapt". The free trade agreement is the basis, "but it can be more", according to the United Kingdom's requests.
On fisheries, Mr Barnier defended a “balanced agreement, which will take into account access for our fishermen to British waters and access for British processed products to the EU market". (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)