During the plenary session (10-13/12/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate their priorities for the 13-14 December EU summit, which will focus on the EU’s long-term budget, migration, the single market and external relations. Statements on Brexit by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Udo BULLMANN (S&D, DE), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK, and Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE).

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Brexit (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

JUNCKER, Jean-Claude (LU)

KELLER, Ska (Greens/EFA, DE)

BULLMANN, Udo (S&D, DE)

European Council meeting 13-14 December 2018 (T)

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 13 and 14 December 2018: extracts from the debate on Brexit

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, There is a surprise guest at the European Council which is BREXIT. I am surprised because we had reached an agreement on the 25th of November together with the government of the United Kingdom. Notwithstanding that it would appear that there are problems right at the end of the road. I will see Mrs. May this evening and I have to say here in the Parliament as I did say before in this Parliament, the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible. It is the only deal possible. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, There is no rule whatsoever for renegotiation. But ofcourse in this room if used intelligently there is enough room to give further clarification and further interpretations without opening the withdrawal agreement. This will not happen, everyone has to know that withdrawal will not be reopened. The big problem ofcourse is the backstop for Ireland. We have the common determination to do everything to be not in a situation one day to use that backstop. But we have to prepare it. It is necessary. It is necessary for the entire coherence of what we have written and it is necessary for Ireland. Ireland will never be left alone. 

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, The unity of the European Union and its institutions, its 27 member states is something that is important to all of us and I'm sure the Council will repeat this position. It's good to have discussions, to meet with Mrs. May, but we won't be changing our position which has now been adopted.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), I think we lost too much time discussing Brexit and we need more discussions about the future of the European Union and not so much about Brexit. That's why the EPP fully supports the position of our Commission President that there is no chance to reopen the treaty which is on the table. We don't play this game especially in the Irish interest because a backstop is due to our common goal that we want to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland. And again for the EPP, I want to clarify, in this regard, we all are Irish. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Udo BULLMANN (S&amp;D, DE), <p>Yes the UK can revoke Article 50, if they wish unilaterally. So they don't need anybody else. Good news. So this is a question to the Parliamentarians in the United Kingdom. But as it stands and this surprisingly again, there is no vote this week. Wasn't it about giving back control to the Parliamentarians? Wasn't it about giving back control to the people in the UK and now we are in a situation where neither the people are allowed to have a say nor the Parliamentarians. How ridiculous is this whole exercise here? Colleagues, how ridiculous. </p>  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), What to say about BREXIT that is that we have spiralled again into a new mess. The vote is delayed, Mrs. May is coming back to Brussels again and I think that with this Parliament, we have two messages for her. The first is whatever the request maybe, we will never let down our Irish friends. It's out of question to renegotiate the backstop on Ireland. And secondly if she is looking in the political declaration for a closer relationship with the European Union as Manfred Weber has said to avoid the use of this backstop, there will be no obstacle. There will be no problem to do so Chair. thank you. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Courage will certainly also be needed in the Brexit talks even though probably even more on the otherside of the Channel. But I hope that the European Council will make two things very clear. Firstly, that we all stand together for the European Union principles and the interests that includes the Irish interests. But secondly, they should make very clear that the British people would always be welcome back if they decide to do so. If they decide to revert their original decision. 