EU leaders remind Britain: No membership, no benefits

By John Chalmers, Gabriela Baczynska

 

FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a plenary session at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The leaders of the European Union’s three institutions warned Britain on Friday that it cannot expect “the highest quality access to the single market” unless it adopts the bloc’s standards on environment, labour, taxation and state aid.

 

“Without being a member, you cannot retain the benefits of membership,” they said in an op-ed published by several European media on Friday, ahead of Britain’s exit from the EU at midnight in Brussels (2300 GMT).

 

“Without the free movement of people, there can be no free movement of capital, goods and services,” European Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament President David Sassoli and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote.

 

The presidents were due to comment on Brexit and the future of the EU at 11 a.m. (1000 GMT).

 

Britain will no longer be an EU member state from Saturday, but it will enter a transition period until the end of December that is meant to give citizens and businesses time to adapt while an agreement is hammered out on the shape of the future relationship.

 

Trade, fishing rights and a raft of other issues are up for discussion.

 

Although the aim is to achieve a “zero tariff, zero quota” trade deal, the EU says that would also require “zero dumping”.

 

It will insist that Britain remain aligned on standards and regulations to guarantee fair competition, but London has already indicated it will not be “a rule taker”.

 

“THE BEGINNING OF OUR INDEPENDENCE”

 

During the transition period, Britain will continue to apply EU laws but will no longer be represented in EU institutions, and British diplomats in Brussels will have to surrender passes giving them access to the European Council.

 

EU officials were reminded this week, ahead of Britain’s exit, that they should not disclose confidential information about the bloc’s business.

 

A group of Brexit Party members of the European Parliament left the bloc’s Brussels assembly triumphantly on Friday, cheering and holding Union Jack flags as a kilted Scottish bagpiper played.

 

“Today we celebrate the beginning of our independence,” Ann Widdecombe told onlookers before she and the group headed to the railway station to take the Eurostar to London.

 

Brexit Day will be more muted in Brussels than across the Channel, where its supporters in London’s Parliament Square will celebrate their victory 3-1/2 years after the referendum in which Britons voted by 52% to 48% to leave the EU.

 

A Union Jack in the building of the European Council in Brussels will be lowered at 7 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Friday, and put away with the flags of non-EU countries.

 

The European Parliament plans to place one of its British flags in the House of European History, a nearby museum that recounts the history of Europe since 1789.

 

At the UK’s Representation Office in Brussels, the EU flag will be lowered at the end of the working day, and on Saturday, the name plate outside the building will be replaced.

 

It will now be known as the UK Mission to the European Union, which some have already dubbed “UKmissEU”

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-31

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56 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

A Union Jack in the building of the European Council in Brussels will be lowered at 7 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Friday, and put away with the flags of non-EU countries.

 

The European Parliament plans to place one of its British flags in the House of European History, a nearby museum that recounts the history of Europe since 1789.

It good that this part of Brexit process can now be put to rest. There will naturally be a lot of talk about the real future deal(s). 

 

I'm guessing UK will leave the Union without comprehensive trade deal. 

12 minutes ago, TheDark said:

 

 

I'm guessing UK will leave the Union without comprehensive trade deal. 

yes, of course, they leave this evening

 

now starts the work re trade deal

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Although the aim is to achieve a “zero tariff, zero quota” trade deal, the EU says that would also require “zero dumping”.

Any zero traffic deal will - in the framework of a WTO-compatible Free Trade Agreement - cover only products ‘originating’ in the UK/EU, which entails origin certification/verification. Not quite the same as the free circulation of goods within the Customs Union.

Well, I guess we've finally arrived at B-Day. If remainers are to be believed, beginning at midnight, we can expect the following:

 

1. No international flights will be able to land in the UK

2. Immediate shortage of medicines

3. Immediate food shortage resulting in mass starvation

4. Riots, looting and political turmoil

5. Financial collapse and stock market crash

6. All European citizens kicked out of the country, effective immediately (especially the non-white ones)

7. Chaos at our borders

8. Streets of London will be deserted

9. Super gonorrhea outbreaks in UK

 

And Brexiteers are the ones being compared to "The People's Front of Judea"...? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Forethat said:

Well, I guess we've finally arrived at B-Day. If remainers are to be believed, beginning at midnight, we can expect the following:

 

1. No international flights will be able to land in the UK

2. Immediate shortage of medicines

3. Immediate food shortage resulting in mass starvation

4. Riots, looting and political turmoil

5. Financial collapse and stock market crash

6. All European citizens kicked out of the country, effective immediately (especially the non-white ones)

7. Chaos at our borders

8. Streets of London will be deserted

9. Super gonorrhea outbreaks in UK

 

And Brexiteers are the ones being compared to "The People's Front of Judea"...? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You don't understand transition period ?Nothing change only that officially the  British left the assembly and officials you are out of E.U. but still complying like any day before until 31 December 2020 , so don't worry al stays working 

All you put in the 9 points is only possible starting 31 December …..U.K. is like on a preview trial Independence now ,  it looks like ….funny...

 

Surprised that you as "close to Brits officials" don't understand this …(ahum ahumg...lol)

All that Johnson needs to do now is deliver the ‘post-Brexit’ prosperity and glowing future the Brexit campaign promised.

 

A word of caution on that: There is nothing more politically dangerous than a failure to deliver on expectations of improvement.

Just now, david555 said:

You don't understand transition period ?Nothing change only that officially the  British left the assembly and officials you are out of E.U. but still complying like any day before until 31 December 2020 , so don't worry al stays working 

All you put in the 9 points is only possible starting 31 December …..U.K. is like on a preview trial Independence now ,  it looks like ….funny...

 

Surprised that you as "close to Brits officials" don't understand this …(ahum ahumg...lol)

Oh, so it's not until Dec 31 the "Remainers-best-arguments-list" kicks in?

 

Ok. Got ya. 

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

All that Johnson needs to do now is deliver the ‘post-Brexit’ prosperity and glowing future the Brexit campaign promised.

 

A word of caution on that: There is nothing more politically dangerous than a failure to deliver on expectations of improvement.

Will you be giving him a chance this time or is it business as usual?

1 minute ago, Forethat said:

Oh, so it's not until Dec 31 the "Remainers-best-arguments-list" kicks in?

 

Ok. Got ya. 

Exactly you got it right now , and even further there was a very good summary to help al people out concerning what happens and also reassurances for those 11 months for both groups in each ….territory about whatever ….But it was in The Guardian ...

 

 

7 minutes ago, Forethat said:

Oh, so it's not until Dec 31 the "Remainers-best-arguments-list" kicks in?

 

Ok. Got ya. 

Helping you out with same from Sky …. so you don't risk an allergy shock …. , real good point by point for both sides to know ….especially the British pensioners in E.U.

Q & A style put 

https://news.sky.com/story/brexplainer-key-questions-answered-as-britain-prepares-to-leave-the-eu-11918271

 

6 minutes ago, david555 said:

Exactly you got it right now , and even further there was a very good summary to help al people out concerning what happens and also reassurances for those 11 months for both groups in each ….territory about whatever ….But it was in The Guardian ...

 

 

So, all the nastiness kicks in Dec 31?

 

And when we get to Dec 31 we'll have another discussion so you can move the goalpost again. Ok. 

4 minutes ago, Forethat said:

So, all the nastiness kicks in Dec 31?

 

And when we get to Dec 31 we'll have another discussion so you can move the goalpost again. Ok. 

It's up to the UK government to ask for extension of the transition period. Then EU can grant UK that privilege, if it wishes do do so. Boris has said that he will not extend, so we'll see it that holds true prior 1st of July.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50838994 

4 minutes ago, Forethat said:

So, all the nastiness kicks in Dec 31?

 

And when we get to Dec 31 we'll have another discussion so you can move the goalpost again. Ok. 

No other goalpost , then you are really out …..unless Boris do one of his  …. changing actions ...but 31Dec. you are (normally)  independent in full , free unlimited control , so it is coming …..in 11 months  

Oho..., that's not nice Mr president on their celebration Brexit day ….

 

 

Daniel Boffey in Brussels

Fri 31 Jan 2020 05.00 GMT

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/31/trump-will-put-us-interests-first-in-trade-talks-says-kim-darroch-ambassador

 

Trump will insist NHS pays more for drugs in trade deal, says ambassador

Exclusive: President will put US firms first in UK trade talks, says Kim Darroch

 

Donald Trump will put the interests of corporate America first and demand that the NHS pays higher prices for US drugs in a free-trade deal with the UK, the outgoing British ambassador to Washington has told the Guardian.

Kim Darroch, in his first interview since his resignation from his post in July, from where he spearheaded attempts to grow trade with the US, insisted that Trump would reward his backers in drug firms and farming communities by opening up British markets, while questioning where the UK’s gains would be found.

3 minutes ago, david555 said:

No other goalpost , then you are really out …..unless Boris do one of his  …. changing actions ...but 31Dec. you are (normally)  independent in full , free unlimited control , so it is coming …..in 11 months  

It is coming...in 11 months? What else will come?

 

Christmas decorations tangled up?

Garden dug up?

Pipes clogged?

Youth stolen?

Milk spoiled?

Chipped tooth?

Babies woken up at three o'clock?

Spontaneous combustion?

Holes in all your socks?

 

Utterly deceptive twaddle speak, says I.

 

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Forethat said:

It is coming...in 11 months? What else will come?

 

Christmas decorations tangled up?

Garden dug up?

Pipes clogged?

Youth stolen?

Milk spoiled?

Chipped tooth?

Babies woken up at three o'clock?

Spontaneous combustion?

Holes in all your socks?

 

Utterly deceptive twaddle speak, says I.

 

 

 

 

 

"What you sow will reap you.."

 

More I can not say as I am not on the table …. like Thais say " Up to you "

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

EU leaders remind Britain: No membership, no benefits

Britain reminds EU : No membership, everyone without a passport - including migrants and asylum seekers - will be returned to country they just left

5 minutes ago, david555 said:

Trump will insist NHS pays more for drugs in trade deal, says ambassador

Exclusive: President will put US firms first in UK trade talks, says Kim Darroch

UK has, until the Big Ben Bongs, time to cancel Brexit unilaterally. After that, Brexit goes forward on it's own weight. 

1 minute ago, RichardColeman said:

Britain reminds EU : No membership, everyone without a passport - including migrants and asylum seekers - will be returned to country they just left

If that's what UK wishes to do, then UK does just that. 

 

 

33 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Will you be giving him a chance this time or is it business as usual?

He’s got the chance, he won an election with easy promises.

 

Forgive me if I keep these in mind during the rest of this government’s term.

3 minutes ago, TheDark said:

UK has, until the Big Ben Bongs, time to cancel Brexit unilaterally. After that, Brexit goes forward on it's own weight. 

Sorry but I thought this was no more possible ? extension s yes , but Brexit ...I doubt

5 minutes ago, david555 said:

Sorry but I thought this was no more possible ? extension s yes , but Brexit ...I doubt

As far as I know cancelling Brexit by UK is possible until the end of today.

 

It's not probable, who knows what happens, when it comes to the mess we know by the name Brexit. ????

 

 

14 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Britain reminds EU : No membership, everyone without a passport - including migrants and asylum seekers - will be returned to country they just left

That would be from E.U. side same then I guess , however if you read the withdrawal act this settled already for life if they did the needed paper work before a certain date , it was the only thing settled for sure by law between them 

1 hour ago, Forethat said:

Well, I guess we've finally arrived at B-Day. If remainers are to be believed, beginning at midnight, we can expect the following:

 

1. No international flights will be able to land in the UK

2. Immediate shortage of medicines

3. Immediate food shortage resulting in mass starvation

4. Riots, looting and political turmoil

5. Financial collapse and stock market crash

6. All European citizens kicked out of the country, effective immediately (especially the non-white ones)

7. Chaos at our borders

8. Streets of London will be deserted

9. Super gonorrhea outbreaks in UK

 

And Brexiteers are the ones being compared to "The People's Front of Judea"...? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you know the UK is still subject to EU regulations until the end of the year.

That's when the effluence will hit the fan if Boris hasn't caved in before to EU demands

The UK, the only country in the world to sanction itself! What a bunch of fools.

 

No membership, no benefits, no deal....no problem

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

All that Johnson needs to do now is deliver the ‘post-Brexit’ prosperity and glowing future the Brexit campaign promised.

 

A word of caution on that: There is nothing more politically dangerous than a failure to deliver on expectations of improvement.

Sounds like you're onto something new here...I'll make sure that our political leaders are aware of that during the next GE campaign. Top tip, if you ask me...

 

The political version of Jacob Marley:

"Boohoooo....a word of caution, leaders: There is nothing more politically dangerous than a failure to deliver on expectations of improvement. Boohoooo"

 

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

EU leaders remind Britain: No membership, no benefits

 

Good idea. Hope they realise this will apply to all the scrounging Europeans claiming UK benefits, while hanging around on street corners drinking Tyskie. 

DWP will save a fortune and be able to increase pensions for all those UK citizens who paid in all their working lives.  

8 minutes ago, Loiner said:

Good idea. Hope they realise this will apply to all the scrounging Europeans claiming UK benefits, while hanging around on street corners drinking Tyskie. 

DWP will save a fortune and be able to increase pensions for all those UK citizens who paid in all their working lives.  

So you go welcome all those U.K. pensioners from Europe also ?….., what I read before about the WA act that was this the only thing they settled by law already ….by  both sides ,...for both sides citizens , who are  arranging before x date the needed papers .

 

Besides the coming trade talks