MACRON SAID: BRITAIN ABLE TO HAVE BESPOKE DEAL WITH EU
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| Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and France's President Emmanuel Macron hold a news conference at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Britain, January 18, 2018. REUTERS |
FrenchPresident Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday Britain would be able to have a
bespoke deal with the European Union after Brexit, one of Prime Minister
Theresa May’s objectives.
But
in an interview with the BBC, Macron said London’s financial center could not
enjoy the same level of access to the EU under May’s current Brexit plan, which
envisages Britain leaving the EU’s single market and customs union.
Macron
has said in the past Britain could have pacts with the EU along the lines of
those with Canada or Norway but not its own, special deal.
But
asked in the interview whether that was fair, given how long Britain had been
part of the EU, Macron said: “No, it’s not a question to be fair or unfair. I
take that as a reference. But for sure, you will have your own solution.”
Asked
whether there would be a bespoke, special solution for Britain, he replied:
”Sure, but you will ... I take these two references because this special way
should be consistent with the preservation of the single market and our
collective interests.
“And
you should understand that you cannot by definition have the full access to the
single market if you don’t tick the box.”
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| The two leaders leaving the press conference |
Macron
insisted Britain would not get full access to the EU’s single market without
accepting its basic principles of freedom of movement and willingness to abide
by EU jurisdiction.
“As
soon as you decide not to join these preconditions, it’s not full access,” he
said. “So it’s something perhaps between this full access and a trade
agreement.”
Macron
repeated a warning he made during a visit to Britain on Thursday that full
access to the EU single market for Britain’s financial services was not
possible.
“It
depends on the proposals made by the UK,” he said. “But for sure, full access
for financial services to the single market is not feasible, given the
functioning of the single market - so by definition it’s not a full access.”
Britain
and the EU struck a divorce deal last month that paved the way for talks on
future trade ties and boosted hopes of an orderly Brexit.
The
BBC released extracts on Saturday of the Macron interview which it will
broadcast in full in the Andrew Marr Show on tomorrow (Sunday).
Source : REUTERS
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