Debate on the United Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European Union

Summary:

Debate held at the plenary session of the European Parliament on 16 January 2018 on the United Kingdom's Withdrawal from the European Union.

Further information:

The debate was held following the so-called 'meaningful vote' at the UK's House of Commons, in which its members rejected the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) highlighted that the European Union was going to remain united and that citizens' rights were still a priority for that chamber. The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier underlined that the Agreement rejected by the UK parliamentarians was the best and only compromise possible within the red lines established by the country's government. The First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans stressed that the EU would not accept established guidelines to be watered down, including the peace process and the border on the island of Ireland or on citizens' rights. MEPs also highlighted that a no-deal scenario was in nobody's interests.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

The Conversation, 16.01.19: EU reaction to Brexit vote defeat – regret, calls for clarity and no-deal preparations https://theconversation.com/eu-reaction-to-brexit-vote-defeat-regret-calls-for-clarity-and-no-deal-preparations-109970

Bloomberg, 16.01.19: What the EU Wants to Hear from the U.K. Now https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-01-16/eu-leaders-have-brexit-message-for-theresa-may

The Guardian, 17.01.19: What is the EU position on alternative Brexit options? https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/17/what-is-the-eu-position-on-alternative-brexit-options

Euro|topics, January 2019: Should the EU make concessions to London? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/213108/

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News

Reuters, 16.01.19: EU Parliament's Brexit negotiator says British parties must cooperate on Brexit https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1PA0TE

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Official

European Parliament: Press Release, 16.01.19: Brexit: the time has come for the UK to clarify its position http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190109IPR23020/

European Commission: Speeches by First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on behalf of President Juncker at the Plenary session of the European Parliament on the occasion of the debate on the UK's withdrawal from the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-19-442_en.htm

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ESO Records

Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union https://www.europeansources.info/record/draft-agreement-on-the-withdrawal-of-the-united-kingdom-from-the-european-union/

Brexit – The United Kingdom and the European Union https://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

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