The EU’s 27 leaders “unite” as they view the future minus the UK

[webfact]

The EU’s 27 leaders “unite” as they view the future minus the UK



BRUSSELS: -- EU leaders meeting for the first time in 40 years without their British counterpart have been discussing the UK’s exit and the future without it.

The 27 members made a pledge of unity and spelled out stark conditions for a new relationship with departing Britain warning that if it wanted to retain access to Europe’s single market, the country must accept European workers too.

After urging Britain to begin the formal process of leaving the EU as soon as possible, European Council President Donald Tusk issued a warning:

“Access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms, including the freedom of movement. There will be no single market a la carte.”

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel went on to call the British vote a wake-up call for Europe saying: “It’s important to have this meeting of 27 because it will show the unity of the 27.”

But some officials have claimed the show of unity was a facade, punctured in the meeting by calls from Poland and the Czech Republic for the EU to do less and return more powers to national capitals.

Germany issued its own warning that Brexit was bound to have an impact on the bloc’s economy as a whole and that measures should be taken to limit any damage.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said:
“None of the estimates and predictions tell us, that this will create momentum for growth. So we’ll have an interest in concentrating more on efficiency and growth to offset what we lose here by the UK leaving us.”

While reform proposals were put forward on security, and migration, on ending the summit the leaders also called for a period of political reflection. Europe needs to make decisions and to recognise what was described as the “democratic and social deficit” to understand why the British people decided to leave in the first place.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-30

[Berty100]

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel went on to call the British vote a wake-up call for Europe saying: “It’s important to have this meeting of 27 because it will show the unity of the 27.”

Yeah you're right Charles Michel, when will the next party of 27 ( paid for by the tax payers) be held, and will Tusk be pissed as hell as usual?

[Gweiloman]

Technically speaking, Cameron should have been present in the summit as well. Article 50 has not been invoked and therefore the UK is still a full member. The UK has not yet left the union nor for that matter, even officially advised the EU that they will be leaving.

[piersbeckett]

It's not suprising that EU leaders are antipathetic to the UK's Brexit vote and will try to prove it a pyrrhic victory because they want to protect their baby!

What betrays them is their sententious tone and their tenuous grasp of deontology.

Is there a valid argument, I wonder, for rejection of the 'four freedoms' as non-payment of membership fees and increased 'freedom' to operate globally would more than compensate for the resultant tariff payments likely to be 3% or less.

[gamini]

Technically speaking, Cameron should have been present in the summit as well. Article 50 has not been invoked and therefore the UK is still a full member. The UK has not yet left the union nor for that matter, even officially advised the EU that they will be leaving.

You can't blame Cameron for not wanting to invoke Article 50. He did not support BREXIT so he will leave it for his successor. Let them suffer the consequences.

[Gweiloman]

Technically speaking, Cameron should have been present in the summit as well. Article 50 has not been invoked and therefore the UK is still a full member. The UK has not yet left the union nor for that matter, even officially advised the EU that they will be leaving.

You can't blame Cameron for not wanting to invoke Article 50. He did not support BREXIT so he will leave it for his successor. Let them suffer the consequences.

It does not matter whether he supported Brexit or not. He called for the referendum, he is the PM of the UK, it is his duty and responsibility to do so now and not try to fob it off to the next PM.

[bkkcanuck8]

Technically speaking, Cameron should have been present in the summit as well. Article 50 has not been invoked and therefore the UK is still a full member. The UK has not yet left the union nor for that matter, even officially advised the EU that they will be leaving.

So Cameron should attend a summit which is all about the future of the EU WITHOUT the UK..... That would be a total waste of time. What is he going to contribute, and what is he going to get out of it. I am pretty sure both of those a ... nadda nothing....

[elgordo38]

A bunch of bloated over paid un-elected phonies who think they are the cats meow. Makes me sick to watch them as they try to appear like Lords of the Manor.

[Junkyarddog]

Why does the media keep calling these people Leaders? There is not a Leader in the bunch.

[Usernames]

Vee vill have unity, jawohl.

[jesimps]

Technically speaking, Cameron should have been present in the summit as well. Article 50 has not been invoked and therefore the UK is still a full member. The UK has not yet left the union nor for that matter, even officially advised the EU that they will be leaving.

You can't blame Cameron for not wanting to invoke Article 50. He did not support BREXIT so he will leave it for his successor. Let them suffer the consequences.

It does not matter whether he supported Brexit or not. He called for the referendum, he is the PM of the UK, it is his duty and responsibility to do so now and not try to fob it off to the next PM.

I read somewhere that he wasn't invited. Makes sense really if they're "....reviewing the future minus the UK"

[BuaBS]

Technically speaking, Cameron should have been present in the summit as well. Article 50 has not been invoked and therefore the UK is still a full member. The UK has not yet left the union nor for that matter, even officially advised the EU that they will be leaving.

True , but the GCHQ is so far up belgians telecoms a-s , monitoring all electronic data and listening in on everything that is said....that Cameron doesn't have to be there in person. He will get the hourly briefs from its spies.

The Brits will always be a step ahead of anything they decide in Brussels , Frankfurt or Strassbourg.

[up2u2]

The UK better hope the EU doesn't play hard ball. It was mentioned that the UK exports 52% via Europe if they were excluded from this market they would take an enormous hit economically. The pound wouldn't be worth a plugged Nickel severe recession akin to Venezuela. It will certainly solve the immigration problem. No one will want to go there. Too much poverty.

[sanukjim]

Why? Unless the exit is forced by the EU then it looks like the UK government just might ignore the vote (which they are in power to do) as it is not binding.It is only a "referendum"an d there has been other times it was ignored.

[bkkcanuck8]

The UK better hope the EU doesn't play hard ball. It was mentioned that the UK exports 52% via Europe if they were excluded from this market they would take an enormous hit economically. The pound wouldn't be worth a plugged Nickel severe recession akin to Venezuela. It will certainly solve the immigration problem. No one will want to go there. Too much poverty.

Developed countries have tariffs on extremely few products. Most are tariff free. Areas of concern are government procurement and some industries that may have be somewhat protected (US TV networks, Canada telecoms, typically airlines, domestic banks and monitor policy; financial services) regulations. The vast majority of industries trade fine under WTO rules. There will be restructuring needed in some industries if no special deal is necessary since up until this point it would have for the most part been domestic in regards to trade. Enormous hit is likely a massive overstatement, but overall the GDP might be affected by a percentage point or a few which over time will be a drag on the economy during restructuring. The pound will likely have some headwinds - lack strength which will translate into inflation (though right now inflation is not the biggest issue. The problem is that with the worlds financial system still on edge, the smallest thing could potentially cause massive damage - but that damage will not be isolated to UK or even just the UK and EU.... I don't think the UK leaving was the best decision but your post is 99% scare mongering with very little foundation as a forecast.

[hawker9000]

"Unite." Sure. Right. They're sitting around watching each other trying to figure out who'll be next.

[JAG]

Interesting photo.......

Mrs Merkel is the only one who doesn't need a pass on a dinky little lanyard dangling from her neck!

"Mutti" appears to be very much in charge.

[MissAndry]

The UK better hope the EU doesn't play hard ball. It was mentioned that the UK exports 52% via Europe if they were excluded from this market they would take an enormous hit economically. The pound wouldn't be worth a plugged Nickel severe recession akin to Venezuela. It will certainly solve the immigration problem. No one will want to go there. Too much poverty.

The EU refuses to trade with Russia, and it's a huge market.

Absolutely no need to deal with anyone in the EU.

Exports to the EU are the past, other markets are the future.

[ilostmypassword]

The UK better hope the EU doesn't play hard ball. It was mentioned that the UK exports 52% via Europe if they were excluded from this market they would take an enormous hit economically. The pound wouldn't be worth a plugged Nickel severe recession akin to Venezuela. It will certainly solve the immigration problem. No one will want to go there. Too much poverty.

The EU refuses to trade with Russia, and it's a huge market.

Absolutely no need to deal with anyone in the EU.

Exports to the EU are the past, other markets are the future.

Because the buying power of Russia is huge. Thank goodness it's economy is not a shambles run by kleptocrats.

[useronthenet]

One problem with that scenario ... how will the EU plug the financial shortfall in the contribution the UK currently makes ?

[Grouse]

There is still nobody from Brexit who has a clue what to do now

As I told you, Boris did not want out and now he is too frighten and afraid!

Brutus Gove? He's too odd

Where are your vaunted Brexit Economists hiding?

Ridiculous situation

The USA is right! Brexit needs to be "walked back"

What a cock up!

I'm sure the remains 27 are just embarrassed and what us out as soon as possible. However, the smart money wants to delay as long as possible to find a way out. A general election will do it.