During the plenary session (25-28 March 2019) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2019 on Brexit.Statements by Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Udo BULLMANN (S&D, DE), Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), Guy VERHOFSTADT, (ALDE, BE), EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), Alyn SMITH (Greens/EFA, UK), Nigel FARAGE (EFDD, UK), Richard ASHWORTH (EPP, UK) and Michel BARNIER, European Commission Chief Negotiator for Article 50 Negotiations with the UK.

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Brexit (T)

article 50 of the Lisbon treaty (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

LEGUTKO, Ryszard Antoni (ECR, PL)

BARNIER, Michel (FR)

FARAGE, Nigel (NI, UK)

SMITH, Alyn (Greens/EFA, UK)

BULLMANN, Udo (S&D, DE)

TUSK, Donald (PL)

ASHWORTH, Richard (EPP, UK)

European Council meeting 21-22 March 2019 (T)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2019: extracts from the debate on Brexit

SOUNDBITE (English), Donald TUSK, President of the European Council, You cannot betray the 6 million people who signed a petition to revoke Article 50, the 1 million people who marched for a people vote or the majority of the people who want to remain in the European Union. They may feel that they are not sufficiently represented by the UK Parliament. But they must feel that they are represented by the EU in this chamber, because they are Europeans. Thank You.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), It's also important to explain to our citizens why a country that is leaving the European Union, should have a major say in the future of the European Union. So that is also one of the questions on the table which we have to answer to our citizens. That's why when the Council decided to ask for clarity and no prolongation without clarification, was a good step. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Udo BULLMANN (S&amp;D, DE), If the situation remains to be blocked, then there is only one chance, ask the people. Ask the people, yes I know why you shy away from that because you are afraid of everything that happens on London streets. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Ryszard LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), We await progress in London and hopefully this will happen. But we also should be prepared for any outcome and we should be ready to offer any help that we can. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), I think there is maybe light at the end of the tunnel now, because with the approval of the Letwin's amendment, there will be for the first time, after two years of negotiations, maybe a solution based on a cross-party cooperation between Labour and the Conservatives. Because I believe that such an existential issue as Brexit, can only be decided on a cross-party agreement in a Parliament, as we do here in this European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), We are open to change the political declaration in two senses. First of all the way that we can make it more binding for both parties that only a declaration. And secondly that we can put inside this political declaration, a far more intense relationship between the EU and the UK, than the relationship that is foreseen in the political declaration at this moment. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Alyn SMITH (Greens/EFA, UK), But when Scotland, if we are removed from our family of nations against our will, against our true democratically expressed view, if we are removed against our will, independence will be our own leverage back. Dear Colleagues, I am not asking you to solve our domestic discussions. I am asking you to leave a light on, so that we can fight our way home. Thank You.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nigel FARAGE (EFDD, UK), <p>Do you really want the United Kingdom to contest the European elections? To send back a very large number of leave MEPs just at a time when you are fighting populism as you see it. Do you really want me back in this place?</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Richard ASHWORTH (EPP, UK), For over 25 years now, no British Prime Minister ever explained to the British people what Europe did, what are the benefits and why it matters. They never defeated against the untruths which were spoken and they never took ownership of the decisions that they took in Council. And because of that, the British Press, ran a 20 year campaign based on populist mistruth, lies and deceit.

SOUNDBITE (English), Richard ASHWORTH (EPP, UK), To the people of Europe I say this, you are the generation who have lived through the longest period of peace and the greatest level of prosperity ever. Never take it for granted. Value it, fight for it, defend it everyday. Thank You. 

SOUNDBITE (French), Michel BARNIER, European Commission Chief Negotiator for Article 50 Negotiations with the UK, <p>We have to respect the single market as well. Our single market. But it is also out of respect to the British internal market Mr. Farage. There have to be checks carried out somewhere, and that's what we are talking about here.</p>

SOUNDBITE (French), Michel BARNIER, European Commission Chief Negotiator for Article 50 Negotiations with the UK, For two years now we have been working on these negotiations and they have always somehow been negative. There is no added value to Brexit. No one, not even Mr. Farage, would be able to demonstrate the added value of Brexit. No one.

SOUNDBITE (French), Michel BARNIER, European Commission Chief Negotiator for Article 50 Negotiations with the UK, It's a negative negotiation. It's a lose-lose situation (...) And as such, we must intelligently find a solution that limits the damages caused.