During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Brussels (17-19 June 2020), joint debate on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 19 June 2020 Recommendations on the negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, Michel BARNIER, EC's Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom and Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian presidency. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Brussels

Brexit (T)

statement

debate

plenary session

BARNIER, Michel (FR)

ŠEFČOVIČ, Maroš (SK, EC)

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

BRNJAC, Nikolina (HR)

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

negotiations on future EU-UK relations (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

European Council meeting 19 June 2020 (T)

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 19 June 2020 and Recommendations on the negotiations for a new partnership with the UK and Northern Ireland: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Michel BARNIER and Nikolina BRNJAC

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Vice-President, Thank you. We now give the floor to Vice President Sefcovic quick to respond. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, Thank you very much Madam President, honourable members of the European Parliament, my dear esteemed colleague, chief negotiator for the EU, Michel Barnier.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, It was a couple of remarks on the issue, which was raised by Madam Garcia Perez Madam Keller, and Mr. Ciolos. This is, of course, the videoconference of the European Council this Friday and our proposal on MFF and next generation EU.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, First and foremost, I really would like to thank you for your support, because it's very important for our discussions with the European member states and also with the public

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, And I really would like to reassure you that we are not losing any minute from the time between now and what I hope will be very important, historic, unprecedented and ambitious deal on the both MFF and the next generation EU in July

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, We are not losing any minute because we are talking to the governments at different levels. We are engaging with the citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, And I personally approached all representatives of the national parliaments on Tuesday in the format of COSAC when I was explaining to them the construction architecture of their proposal and importance of national parliaments and European Parliament's approval ratification in the end.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, Of course, for us, solidarity is a must, and I believe that this European Council videoconference will allow us to narrow the differences which are still there on the table and to prepare the ground.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, Well, what I will be what I believe will be decisive move forward. An agreement in July. On the second topic, which was raised by the rest of the honourable members

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, I just would like to inform you about how we are going to implement the withdrawal agreement. As you know, I am representing European Union in this joint committee with Michael Gove, who is representing the British government

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, and here we are talking about the agreement which was approved, signed and ratified by this parliament and by the UK parliament. And once there was a clear statement by my goal that there will be no any extension of the transitional period.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, I did the same. What I heard from our rapporteurs, Madam Piri, Mr Hansen, but also by Mr. McAllistair that we need to accelerate our work and to make sure that the withdrawal agreement is properly implemented.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, I am very glad to report that the discussion of the joint committee was in a very positive atmosphere and we could state that there is good progress on the area of the financial provisions, on the protocol on Gibraltar, on the protocol on the sovereign base areas of the UK in Cyprus, and also on the citizens' rights, where I know how important this issue is for the European Parliament and for our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, And when I believe will be able to resolve our differences definitely before the end of the year. What is the most most challenging issue? This is, of course, the application of protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, And here I was very clear and I made it very clear also to the UK delegations that what we need is a more operation because we understand to the aspiration which was already presented to us. But for us, it's very important to have very concrete responses on on how the UK is going to implement the VAT regime.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, Excise and Customs obligations, which are clearly stated in the withdrawal agreement. And I am glad that the response I got from Michael Gove was that we will work very hard over the summer, that we will have another specialized committee session on the Irish protocol in July and we'll come back to the overall what I believe will be a progress in Italy September.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, So there is a lot of work, but I believe that if it comes to that, Israel will agreement that both sides are realizing that to the proper implementation is the key to trust building, to confidence building, which we need for the good future relationship between European Union and the United Kingdom.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, And how this future relationship would look like if you allow. Madam President, I would pass the floor to Michel Barnier because he is negotiating day and night with our UK colleagues and he will be able to give you the best picture. Thank you very much.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Vice-President, And indeed, Michel Barnier, you do have the floor. Thank you

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Thank you, Madam President. Evening, everybody. Thank you, Marrows, for the excellent cooperation we have amongst ourselves. A few words in conclusion, on the subject of this very complex negotiating file, an extraordinary file, Brexit.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, First, very sincere thanks to the parliament. Madam President, the 17 Committees who have been committed there, Rapporteur David McAllister, said it's the first time and I really do think it is the right time. So I'd like to express my warm thanks to Kati Piri and Christoph Hansen and for the very complicated work of summary that you've done. Congratulations

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, We need vigilance. We need determination in the European Parliament in this period. And it's that determination that your president, David Sassoli, expressed on Monday with a high level conference organised with the President of the Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen and Charles  Michel, President of the European Council, yourselves and Boris Johnson.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, And then I think it was that was you said you will have the last word again when we hope have reached an agreement with the UK, as Mr. Sefcovic has said. [

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, We have noted the negative position expressed by the British government when it comes to extending, as we I think all have the option of doing until the 30th of June, the transition period as a prelude to negotiations and we have four months of negotiations behind us

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Four months of negotiations before us, Kati Piri said, two hundred and four days earlier, it's going to be difficult. Therefore, it's possible. The time's very short and I share the feeling of urgency expressed by Boris Johnson.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, And that's why we have, in fact, decided, together with my counterpart David Frost and his negotiating team, which like ours, is very professional to step up in July and August as well as in September.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, The negotiations to have more concentrated, more targeted discussions with the goal and obligation for us, because, you know, these are my rules to have the same transparency with your parliament, with your coordination group, with your committees and the 27 member states with whom we negotiate.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, What are the next stages? One thing is clear. As was recalled by the three presidents of the three institutions when they met Mr Johnson on Monday, what counts for us before even the process is that we have progress on the substance.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, It's up to the UK to choose what it wants or whether it wants an agreement. Madam Minister, you said it very rightly at the start of this part-session. It's the choice of the UK whether or not they want an agreement because the conditions for an agreement are already known.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom,They were agreed upon with Boris Johnson. Every word, every comma was negotiated in the political declaration committing us towards a sustainable agreement, which your parliament is very attached to, not just an unprecedented trade agreement with zero quotas and zero tariffs on all goods, which is a first in the history of the union, but with an agreement on fisheries

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, As Mr. Bellamy recalled, an agreement on a level playing field on state AIDS, fiscal issues, social rights and environmental rights, an agreement Christopher Hansen just said, ensuring economic fair play and social fair play.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, And that agreement should cover energy, transport, security and defence issues. And on the basis of what was already said, we hope that conditions of access to the market would be fair

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, The political declaration, those principles are ones that we took on board in our mandate and in our draft agreement that was published on the 18th of March. And that is not open to negotiation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, After four years of negotiations, we see quite clearly, ladies and gentlemen, Honourable members, what the strategy is of the UK government.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Firstly, it refused any discussion on important subjects defence, security and development. And I interpreted that as the idea of concentrating all the negotiations just into economic issues and the defence of those economic interests.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, And then afterwards, in that strategy of the UK, they tried to negotiate to a certain extent a status which would be very similar to the status of single market membersare per Shengen and the customs area without having any of the constraints or disciplines.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, So that's cherry picking on rules of origin, mutual recognition, financial services, Qualifications and data flows. And electricity. Electricity services. We are not going to accept cherry picking. The second part of the British strategy is to refuse any clear and strong commitments in the field of a level playing field so as to keep the freedom to move away from the rules of the union.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, And that some say that's the very point of Brexit. Different rules for trade and strategy. When you look at data, I know what the. Very strong position of the parliament is. But we see that on state aid, on financial services, state aid, the UK until now has given us no idea of a future regulation of state aid and food security standards, food standards here

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, The UK has even wanted to reopen the whole question of geographical indications, which are clearly protected in the withdrawal agreement that my Irish research mentioned.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, None of that is compatible with the basis of a sustainable, ambitious agreement with a major country which is likely to remain our friend, our only ally and partner. But I remain convinced, ladies and gentlemen, honourable members, that an agreement is possible for the long term.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, As we've heard, we have wanted that from the beginning and we've wanted to allow the negotiations to succeed by stepping up. But ladies and gentlemen, you set the direction in your resolution. We won't be striking an agreement at any price.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, We won't be sacrificing as President Von der Leyen said. We will never sacrifice the economic and political long term interests of European consumers and institutions to the profit of the UK

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Instead, we want to see tangible progress on the withdrawal agreement with the guarantee of citizens' rights and peace in Ireland through the proper application of the protocol. And finally, our priority is and will remain to be to reach an agreement.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, But we also have a responsibility, mr. Arimont and Mr Schirdewan, as we've heard from you and others, to prepare collectively for all possible scenarios. At the end of the year, whether there is an agreement or there isn't.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, We have to prepare one way or another and we will do so. Thank you for the confidence you've expressed in me and my negotiating team. The negotiating team of the commission, which is your negotiating too

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Do n't let us forget that the next weeks will be decisive and we're going to have to show certain qualities. Miss Piri has asked that. In fact, we remain calm. And that was called for by other members, Mr Danielsson, to calm and patience.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, I have reserve which can't be ran out, run out of those two principles. And we also have to defend our consumers and enterprises. We're determined to do that and will do so. And Parliament has given us a new proof today of the direction we should be moving in and the support they have. Thank you

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Vice-President, I Hope your reserves do not run out. Michel Barnier, good luck with the negotiations. And I give the floor on behalf of the council to state secretary Brnjac. Thank you

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Honourable members. Ladies and gentlemen, I'll first say a few words regarding negotiations on a new partnership with the UK to which many of you are devoted to your comments.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, We do adoption of your recommendation. Our negotiators should be in a better position to engage in the very intense face of the negotiating that is coming as it is clear for both our institutions. Progress in the partnership negotiation had to go hand-in-hand with the progress in the implementation of the withdrawal agreement.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, This means that we will have to remain vigilant as regards first and foremost, the preservation of citizens rights be during the transition period or under whatever future relationship with the United Kingdom.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, But our vigilance will have to be less inferior when considering the intended economic partnership. A strong, safeguarded and robust governance will be called for to protect the integrity of the EU single market and the competitive position of the EU firms.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, We will therefore continue cooperation in this respect as well. In negotiation with the UK on our future relationship partnership. Our common efforts and commonality of purpose will provide the support required by our negotiator and helping ensure ensure an outcome to the benefit of the union and its citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Coming back to the MFF and the recovery, president of the European Council wants to pave the way for a deal by providing the leaders with an opportunity to discuss the MFF and recovery package.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Therefore, the Friday meeting will be an orientation debate during which the leaders will have the opportunity to explain how they see the commission's new proposals and whether the overall package meets their expectations

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, This debate will inform the work of the president of the European Council and help him bring together the necessary elements to prepare the final stretch of nuclear negotiations and build a successful compromise. I take from this debate the we will share a sense of urgency and of ambition

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, We are actually aware that there is still a lot of work to be done to reconcile different interests and point of views in order to build a compromise.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Ultimately, our goal is to grow agree as soon as possible on what is unprecedented in financial package to face an unprecedented crisis in the remaining days of our presidency.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, We will continue to be fully committed to doing our utmost to facilitate all the steps leading to such an agreement and to do so in a way that is mindful of the parliament views.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, For it has been clear since the onset of the pandemic that we can only overcome this crisis if we act jointly in solidarity. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Vice-President, Thank you very much, colleagues. The joint debate is closed. We have already voted on the amendments of the report by Madam Piri and Mr. Hansen and the final vote takes place tomorrow morning. Before I suspend the sitting, I would like to thank the interpreters very sincerely because the debates were longer than we had anticipated. So my sincere thanks to our interpreters and the sitting is now suspended until 7:00 PM. Thank you.