Michel Barnier applauded for efforts to secure an
orderly withdrawal of the UK in a debate that
highlighted continued uncertainties for citizens and
economy.
Regional and local leaders on 6 December urged the
European Union to take measures to soften the
impact of the UK's withdrawal and for an EU budget
that stimulates regional economies. The calls came
during a debate in Brussels with Michel Barnier,
during which the EU's Chief Negotiator with the
United Kingdom was praised for having secured an
agreement that limits the risks posed to the EU and
to the Republic of Ireland in particular and for
his outreach to cities and regions over the course
of negotiations.
Mr Barnier
spoke at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) –
the EU's assembly of local and regional governments – a
few days after the member states' heads of state and
government endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement, which
will be put to the UK Parliament for the first step of
ratification on 11 December. The agreement is a prelude
to talks on long-term relations between the UK and the
EU, which Mr Barnier told the CoR in
March 2017
should be "ambitious" on trade, research and
innovation, climate action, international cooperation
and development, and security.
Mr Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator and a former
European commissioner for regional development,
said
on 6 December: "It is a balanced deal; it is the only
one and the best one possible. The agreement respects
the EU's principles, while taking into account the UK's
red lines. In the current EU programming period
2014-2020, we have agreed that all commitments made by
the 28 will be honoured by the 28, providing financial
stability. It will preserve fair competition and will
maintain opportunities for cooperation with UK cities,
regions or universities. It will maintain the economic
dynamism of our territories, some of which closely
trade with the United Kingdom, though our principal
shared asset remains the internal market. But without
ratification, there will be no withdrawal agreement or
transition period. This 'no deal' scenario cannot be
ruled out so it is necessary for all regions and cities
to be well prepared."
Karl-Heinz Lambertz
(BE/PES), the President of the CoR and member of the
Belgian Senate representing the German-Speaking
Community, said: "The Withdrawal Agreement offers the
best compromise in a complicated negotiation, but its
impact will still be felt in regions across the EU27
and the UK. There will be no winners from Brexit and
the EU must now do everything it can to cushion the
losses. Preparedness means involving all levels of
government. The EU must now agree a long-term budget
that is more ambitious and, to reduce uncertainty,
ensure it is agreed ahead of the EU elections. This is
another reason why there must be no cuts to regional
development funds in the EU budget post-2020. Everyone
involved must listen carefully to the regions' call for
more inclusive negotiations, especially as several
regional parliaments will be involved in agreeing any
future trade deal between the EU and the United
Kingdom."
Following his speech, Mr Barnier heard the concerns of
33 cities and regions
.
Since Mr Barnier addressed the CoR in March 2017, the
CoR has conducted a
mapping exercise
to ascertain the possible impact of the UK's withdrawal
on regions and cities. The CoR, which has met
representatives from the UK's devolved administrations
and local governments. It has also conducted an
economic
survey
of local and regional authorities and local chambers of
commerce, and commissioned a
study
assessing the impact of Brexit on specific regions (in
Belgium, Germany, France, Poland, and Spain) and on a
number of sectors across the EU (transport, machinery,
electronics, food, chemicals, textile and furniture).
In May 2018, the CoR adopted a
political resolution
calling for the EU to ensure that local and regional
authorities are not "left to deal on their own" with
challenges created by the UK's departure from the EU.
The CoR has called for the EU's budget in 2021-27 to be
equivalent to 1.3% of the EU's gross national income
after the UK's withdrawal.
Contact:
Andrew Gardner
Tel. +32 473. 843 981
andrew.gardner@cor.europa.eu