Antonio TAJANI, EP President, speaks to the press on the European Council (Article 50), at the European Council in Brussels.

Brussels

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

Brexit (T)

article 50 of the Lisbon treaty (T)

press conference

European Council meeting 17-18 October 2018 (T)

Press briefing by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, on the European Council (Article 50)

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/19864089/I162136Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, I thanked the chief negotiator Mr. Barnier for his work and in the course of my statement I mentioned the three key points which the European Parliament can approve or rather we can approve the withdrawal agreement on base Article 50. If these three points are covered. First of all we have the right of European citizens. So citizens living in the UK and of course the rights of UK citizens living in the European Union these rights have to remain what they are today. Second point the financial aspect guarantees that the United Kingdom honors all its financial commitments under the multi annual budget. So the UK has to pay everything it owes to the European Union. And the third point which is trickier is this: the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The European Parliament wishes to defend the Good Friday Agreement.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Which is a value. It's not just a question of relationship between the UK and the EU. We will do our outmost to ensure that this border is a soft border totally soft border not a physical border so that the current positive situation over the last few years after many years of civil war can be maintained. But that does not mean that the European Parliament is not calling for strong protection of the health of European citizens, protection of the agri food industry and European agriculture.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, We dont want products to come in which fail to comply with the rules which protect our health. We dont want agrifood products to come in which failed to comply with our rules and didnt want animals to come in which do not provide the guarantees set out in European rules regulations. There is already phyto sanitary arrangement to protect our lands so we can have checks carried out at sea as they are at the moment. In other words between Great Britain and Ireland. European Parliament definitely wants that to be an agreement. And that would be a good thing for. The European Union and the United Kingdom but not at any price.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, If the third point is not covered the first two points seem to be evolving positively if these points are not covered. The European Parliament will vote against the treaty or the draft treaty. I informed the 28 that before the end of the year there will be a Parliament Resolution on the state of play in the negotiations. I also said that the European Parliament is in favour of the hypothesis of extending the transitional period to three years as in the initial proposal made by European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, This eventuality would be regarded in a positive way by the European Parliament. I also referred to future hypotheses and Association Agreement. An association agreement based on four pillars trade relations internal security external security and sectoral cooperation and a single agreement could be ratified in just one round of ratifications. There will be the advantage.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Having said all that I think that this is a council in which all sides have to be heard and listened carefully to what Theresa May said. The tone was more relaxed than in Salzburg undoubtedly so there a message of goodwill. There is a readiness to reach an agreement but I did not perceive anything substantially new in terms of content.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, As I listened to Mrs May I repeat the tone was the tone of someone who wants to reach an agreement. The same apply to me. So there is a readiness to reach an agreement. But theres no change in content. Mrs May recalled the importance of a UK wide customs area customs territory.

<p>SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, At the moment there is a united and as far as plant health are concerned so this call into question, this idea. We consider that the four freedoms cannot be divided they're indivisible the single market has to be as it is. So the UK defends its customs territory. But we're defending the single market and we can't divide the four freedoms. So it's a single freedom. And there are various sectors which are concerned. So that is something indivisible the integrity of the Single Market is indivisible. Anyway I wish to look at all this positively.</p>

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, There's still time. We have to vote by March. There's still time to try to reach an agreement. We shall do our best. Our team is working hand in hand with Barnier team. We shall be doing everything we can to bring about positive developments. So I've said clearly to the 28 including Mrs May what the Parliament's position is. Let's Hope that the next few weeks it will be possible to take steps forward.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, So let's hope that an agreement can be reached on Article 50 concerning the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. Now of course the backstop is an eventuality. We need rules, guarantees until such time as the new treaty emerges. Sooner we have a new treaty and an agreement the shorter the period for the backstop and the longer the transitional period, the longer the period of application of the backstop. That's a possible solution. It may be useful to everybody. So this all depends on how much progress is made with the negotiations. The backstop and may be purely theoretical just a guarantee in case we don't achieve an agreement soon. So I am at your disposal to answer your question please.