Debate on resolution setting out priorities for Brexit negotiations

The European Parliament's plenary session held a debate on 5 April 2017 on the negotiations with the United Kingdom following its EU withdrawal notification. This was followed by a vote on a resolution setting out the Parliament's priorities regarding these negotiations.

The European Commission President and the chief EU Brexit negotiator attended the debate and highlighted the crucial role of the European Parliament in the process, considering its power to veto any agreement.

The debate also showed wide cross-party support for giving top priority to protecting the interests of the citizens most affected by Brexit. Most group leaders highligthed the importance of unity during the talks. While left-wing groups underlined the importance of social protection, rightist groups accused the EU of seeking to 'punish' the UK.

The Parliament's Conference of Leaders had already endorsed the draft resolution on 29 March 2017.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/881, 05.04.17: Statement by Michel Barnier at the plenary session of the European Parliament http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-881_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/884, 05.04.17: Speech by President Juncker at the EP Plenary session on the negotiations with the UK following its notification to withdraw from the European Union http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-884_en.htm

EurActiv, 05.04.17: EU Parliament prepares to set Brexit ‘red lines’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu-parliament-prepares-to-set-brexit-red-lines/

The Independent, 05.04.17: Nigel Farage jeered in European Parliament after accusing EU of ‘behaving like the mafia’ over Brexit http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-european-parliament-mock-eu-leaders-mafia-brexit-talks-uk-britain-ransom-a7667306.html

Politico, 05.04.17: MEPs tell Britain: Without us, no deal http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-u-k-on-brexit-beware-of-the-european-parliament-veto-negotiations-constitutional-committee/

Bloomberg, 05.04.17: EU’s Barnier Warns U.K. to Focus on Exit or Risk No Brexit Deal https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-05/eu-s-barnier-warns-u-k-to-focus-on-exit-or-risk-no-brexit-deal

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

European Parliament: Press Release, 29.03.17: Brexit: MEPs set out conditions for approving UK withdrawal agreement http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170329IPR69014/

EUObserver, 05.04.17: Chief centre-left MEP says UK can still remain https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/137502

EUObserver, 05.04.17: MEPs endorse EP red lines on Brexit https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/137505

European Parliament: Texts Adopted: 05.04.17: Resolution: Negotiations with the United Kingdom following its notification that it intends to withdraw from the European Union http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2017-0102+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

---