Michel Barnier has said EU leaders will need to hear a “concrete plan” from the UK in order to agree to any extension of the Brexit process.
At a press conference this afternoon, the chief EU negotiator said leaders will have to consider whether an extension will increase the chances of getting the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement approved by the UK Parliament.
He said agreeing to an extension without a clear plan would have economic and political costs for the EU and leaders will have to consider whether the process would be likely to end up in the “same situation” a few months down the line.
Mr Barnier warned that the current withdrawal agreement was “the only treaty available” and remains the “only possible basis” for the UK to leave with a deal.
European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier answers a question during a press conference in Brussels, 19-03-2019. Image: Francisco Seco/AP/Press Association ImagesExtension
He did offer an olive branch by noting that the process could be extended to allow time to make the political declaration that compliments the agreement “more ambitious," if a House of Commons majority so wished.
“If not, what would be the purpose and the outcome of an extension?” he asked.
“And how can we ensure that, at the end of a possible extension, we are not back in the same situation as today?
“In any case, the European Council will have to assess what is in the best interests of the EU.
“Extending the uncertainty without a clear plan would add to the economic cost for our businesses, but could also incur a political cost for the EU.
“It is for the British Government and Parliament to decide very quickly what the UK wants to do next.”
No-deal
He warned that last week’s House of Commons vote rejecting a ‘no-deal’ Brexit will not prevent it from happening and said the only way to end this “period of uncertainty” is for the UK to make concrete decisions.
"Everyone should now finalise all preparations for a No-Deal scenario,” he said.
“On the EU side we are prepared.
“The European Parliament and the Council have now approved nearly all the foreseen contingency measures and are working on the two last measures that still need to be adopted – namely short-term visas and the EU budget for 2019.”
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow rules out a third vote on the same Brexit deal, 18-04-2019. Image: House of Commons/PA Wire/PA Images
Political crisis
It comes after Downing Street admitted that the UK is facing a political “crisis” as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to request an extension to the withdrawal process.
Mrs May’s plans for a third meaningful vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement were thrown into chaos yesterday after the House of Commons speaker John Bercow ruled it out.
Using a centuries-old Parliamentary rule, Mr Bercow said the house could not be asked to vote on the agreement again without “substantial” changes to what was on offer.
Mrs May had previously planned request a short extension of the Brexit process if the deal was accepted – and a longer extension if not.
She will now have to travel to Thursday’s summit of EU leaders without holding the vote at all.
British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, 13-03-2019. Image: Xinhua News Agency/PA Images
Extension
The UK Solicitor General Robert Buckland said the country was facing a "major constitutional crisis” as a result of the ruling and, after an hour-and-a-half Cabinet meeting today, Theresa May’s spokesperson agreed.
“The prime minister will be writing to Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, before the European council begins, in relation to an extension,” her official spokesperson said.
He refused to say how long that extension might be, telling reporters all would become clear once the letter is published.
He noted that Mrs May had predicted a “moment of crisis” if the deal was rejected at the second attempt.
“If you were to look back at the speech the prime minister gave, just before meaningful vote two, she said that if MPs did not support meaningful vote two we would be in a crisis,” he said.
“Events yesterday tell you that situation had come to pass.”
Brexit
He said Mrs May wanted to assure the UK that there is an “absolute determination to find a way that parliament can find a way to leave with a deal.”
“She wants that to happen as soon as possible.”
It has been suggested that Mrs May could agree a long delay with the EU that includes an exit clause should MPs decide to support the agreement.
A long delay would almost certainly mean the UK would have to hold European Parliament elections and the spokesperson said Mrs May would view that as a “failure.”
It has been suggested Mrs May could agree a long delay to Brexit with EU leaders this week, but with an exit clause should MPs eventually support the withdrawal agreement.
Welcomed @eucopresident Donald Tusk back to @merrionstreet today to discuss #Brexit and #FutureofEurope before this week’s important @EUCouncil meeting pic.twitter.com/IvD0fuAcyB
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 19, 2019
This morning, the European Council President Donald Tusk travelled to Dublin to meet with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
In a statement after today's meeting in Dublin, a spokesperson said: "President Tusk expressed the strong and ongoing solidarity with Ireland of the European Council and European leaders.
"They agreed that we must now see what proposals emerge from London in advance of the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
"Meanwhile, preparations continue in Ireland and across the European Union for a no deal scenario, which would have serious consequences for all concerned."
Meeting with Taoiseach @campaignforleo in Dublin to confirm full EU unity on #Brexit, discuss latest developments and uncertain political situation in London as well as preparedness for a no-deal brexit. pic.twitter.com/wtvQqRYYVQ
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 19, 2019
Mr Tusk has previously said he will appeal to EU leaders to be "open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it."
He has already met a number of EU leaders in recent days - including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Busy morning in Brussels. Tánaiste @simoncoveney met his Belgium counterpart @dreynders and European Parliament #Brexit coordinator @guyverhofstadt to discuss.......#Brexit. 🇧🇪 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/0ZoP3RZwSJ
— Chris Donoghue (@chrisrdonoghue) March 19, 2019
This morning, the Tánaiste Simon Coveney travelled to Brussels to meet with EU Brexit Coordinator Guy Verhofstadt and Chief EU Negotiator Michel Barnier.
He is also expected to meet with Mrs May’s de-fact deputy David Liddington, who is in the Belgian capital for talks with Mr Barnier.
