The European Parliament has backed a motion setting out its position for
the Brexit negotiations by 516 to 133. Although MEPs will not participate
directly in the exit talks they will have to vote in favour of the final deal
for it to go ahead. UKIP's Nigel Farage accused MEPs of trying to impose
conditions that were "impossible for Britain to comply with" and likened
them to the "mafia". The motion for debate was supported by the two
largest groups of MEPs. Live: European Parliament coverage
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It set out general principles at the start of the two year negotiations for
the UK to leave the European Union under the Article 50 process.
At a press conference following the vote, Guy Verhofstadt, the European
Parliament's Brexit negotiator, said the vote meant that "the UK on the one
hand and the [European] Commission on the other hand now know the position
of the Parliament, what the red lines are".
He said "the interests of our citizens is our first priority" and called for an early
resolution of the status of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens elsewhere in
Europe. What are the red lines?
The motion backs a number of positions taken by EU leaders, including the
need for a "phased approach" to negotiations.
This would require progress on the terms of Britain's withdrawal, including
settling financial commitments, before talks on a future trading relationship
can start.
It also backs the call for transparency in the talks, and for the UK to be considered
liable for financial commitments that apply after it leaves the EU.
It also says:
transitional arrangements should be time-limited to three years and be
enforced by the EU's Court of Justice
UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens in Britain should receive "reciprocal"
treatment the final deal should not include a "trade-off" between trade
and security co-operation the UK should adhere to EU environmental and
anti-tax evasion standards to get close trade ties the European Banking
Authority and European Medicines Agency should be moved out of London
the UK should pay towards costs for the EU that "arise directly from its withdrawal"
During the debate in Strasbourg Manfred Weber, chairman of the largest
group of MEPs, the centre-right European People's Party, said: "Cherry-picking
will not happen. A state outside the European Union will not have better conditions
than a state inside the European Union."
Gianni Pitella, chairman of the European Socialists and Democrats also argued
that the UK "can not benefit from the same conditions as members do" and
added: "If you leave the house, you still have to pay the bills."
The motion is not binding on European Commission officials but President of
the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker told MEPs: "The role of this
parliament is more important than ever. You must scrutinise and validate the
final agreement."
He added: "We will of course negotiate in friendship and openness and not in
a hostile mood, with a country that has brought so much to our union and will
remain close to hearts long after they have left, but this is now the time for
reason over emotion.
"What's at stake here are the lives of millions of people. Millions have family
or professional links to the United Kingdom."
Gibraltar raised
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, warned that "a disunited
union could actually lead to there being no deal".
He added: "The 'no deal' scenario is not the scenario we are looking for.
We are looking for success, not against the United Kingdom but with the
United Kingdom."
Helga Stevens from the Conservatives and Reformists group, which includes
MEPs from the UK's ruling Conservative Party, said Brexit "should not be a
nasty breakup" and cautioned MEPs against "making excessive demands in
advance" of Brexit talks.