Socialist leaders meet ahead of the Special European Council (article 50), which takes place in Brussels.

Brussels

Brexit (T)

article 50 of the Lisbon treaty (T)

meeting

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

MOGHERINI, Federica (IT, EC)

BULLMANN, Udo (S&D, DE)

MUSCAT, Joseph (PSE, MT)

LÖFVEN, Stefan (SE)

ASSELBORN, Jean (LU)

special meeting of the European Council on Article 50 (T)

Socialist leaders meet ahead of the Special European Council (article 50): arrivals and statements

SOUNDBITE (English), Stefan L&#214;FVEN, Swedish Prime Minister, Let's sit down now and see what we can do to find a way to an orderly exit. That's what we want to do.

Arrival of MEP Udo BULLMANN (S&amp;D, DE)

SOUNDBITE (German), Udo BULLMANN (S&amp;D, DE), It would be very advisable, now that the cards are on the table, to give people the opportunity to speak for themselves. There are two ways to express the sovereignty of the people: through parliament or through a referendum. And I am very much in favour of asking the people.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jean ASSELBORN, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Today, we have to know more concretely about how the talks between Labour and Tories are going. I think the good will is there, but I will say it once again, this must not be used to the ends of people like Rees-Mogg. That can't be.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean ASSELBORN, Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, The transition period, if there is one, as will be decided today, in any case, we cannot accept a political obstruction by the British. But I think they won't do this. The European Union must continue to develop, the EU must advance in deciding on the financial framework for the future. I also think that if we want to avoid a no deal, in the interest of both, that is all what we want, we want to find a solution, which could be either 30th of June, or the end of December, or even a whole year. 

SOUNDBITE (German), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, I think every member state, even the member state that is leaving the European Union, has an obligation of loyal cooperation. And I think it is normal that the United Kingdom would commit to that. And I think this is something Mrs. May will have to clarify with her colleagues tonight.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, I think there will be some requests for insurances. Also because of, you know, what some hard-line Brexiteers have said in the media in the UK. I think the leaders are right to want some clarity from Mrs. May.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, The 27 member states and the European institutions have been bending over backwards to accommodate the United Kingdom and Mrs. May's government. So let's see what happens and take it from there.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, First Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, We have other things to do, you know? Not just Brexit. 

Arrival of Joseph MUSCAT, Maltese Prime Minister

Arrival of Frederica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy