The European Parliament supported by a very large majority (610 votes to 29, with 68 abstentions) the resolution on respecting the rights of European citizens after the UK’s exit from the EU.
The Parliament thus gave broad support to its Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt before he travels to London, on Thursday 16 January, to meet members of the UK government, as he had indicated during the debate on this resolution on Tuesday 14 January (see EUROPE 12403/13).
In this text, which was rejected by departing MEPs from Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and which some MEPs from the ECR also failed to support by abstaining, MEPs list their concerns about some of the practical provisions of the opt-out agreement, in particular applications for permanent residence status in the UK. Among other things, they deplore the lack of a physical document confirming the granting of this status and problems of accessibility for some.
As a final message, the Parliament underlines that its approval of the withdrawal agreement on 29 January will depend on the assurances that will be given on the protection of citizens. In its resolution, the Parliament calls for “joint scrutiny by the European Parliament and the British Parliament” to be introduced after the implementation of Brexit. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)