The BREXIT steering group meets in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Arrivals, roundtable and statements by Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK, Michel BARNIER, EU Brexit Chief Negotiator, and Elmar BROK (EPP, DE).

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Brexit (T)

article 50 of the Lisbon treaty (T)

Strasbourg

meeting

BARNIER, Michel (FR)

BROK, Elmar (EPP, DE)

Meeting of the BREXIT steering group: arrivals, roundtable and statements

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), This result is the consequence of the British political system. The fight between left and right, the fight between labours and the conservative party, and there is a need for cross party cooperation, so that we know what Britain wants and that there is a majority in the House of Commons backing that proposal. If that proposal goes into a direction of a more deepen relationship with the EU we are ready to do so. We are not against this, on the contrary. Secondly, what we don't want is that this mass in British politics is no transferred and imported in European politics, so let's try to find a solution, maybe bro the European elections, and the third think, important for us is that in anyway European Parliament, if necessary in a direct contact with the House of Commons, we shall secure, safeguard the rights of the citizens, because the citizens cannot be the victims of this party political game.

Arrival Michel BARNIER, EU Brexit Chief Negotiator.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michel BARNIER, EU Brexit Chief Negotiator, It's now for the UK to tell us the next steps, and on our side we will remain united and determined to reach a deal.

MEP's arrivals: Roberto GUALTIERI, (S&amp;D, IT); Esteban GONZALEZ PONS (EPP, ES).

SOUNDBITE (English), Elmar BROK (EPP, DE), We have to see now how Mrs May react . Will she survive a non-confidence vote, so now we have to wait what will happen , we stick tour agreement, we have a deadline end of March , and if they do not make proposals , that we can come to a deal, than we came closer to hard Brexit.

Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), entering the meeting room.