MEPs debated on Tuesday 14 January with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier on the fate of European citizens after 31 January and their rights under the UK’s agreement to withdraw from the EU, before sending a final message on Wednesday 15 January with a resolution on the matter.
Mrs von der Leyen stressed the desire for peace of mind of the citizens concerned and pointed out that the withdrawal agreement, which the European Parliament will be called upon to ratify on 29 January, contains a “clear obligation to safeguard these rights”.
While the Parliament resolution expresses concern about the difficulties encountered by some in applying for permanent residence status in the UK, the President announced “good news”, stating that 2.5 million people concerned (out of 3.2 million) have already applied for permanent residence status and received a positive response.
But more difficult cases also exist, sometimes with rejections of these status applications or requests for additional evidence “even if these people have been in the country for a long time”.
For the Brexit coordinator at Parliament, Belgian Guy Verhofstadt, it is necessary for the British authorities to confirm their positive answers by “a physical document” rather than an e-mail. He also expressed the hope that the administrative authority which will be responsible for ensuring that the withdrawal agreement is properly implemented will be able to welcome members of the 3Million organisation, which defends the rights of Europeans in the United Kingdom.
He has also called on his colleagues to vote overwhelmingly in favour of this resolution. The hon. member will be in London on Thursday and Friday to meet with members of the British government with whom he intends to address the remaining concerns.
Michel Barnier, for his part, insisted that vigilance will be needed on all aspects of the implementation of the withdrawal agreement, in particular on the protocol on Northern Ireland. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)