The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation meets with the chief negotiator of the Commission for Brexit

Accompanied by a delegation from the ministries

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Alfonso Dastis, held a meeting in Brussels with the Commission's chief Brexit negotiator, Michael Barnier.

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The minister was accompanied by a delegation from the ministries involved in the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU: Employment, Finance, Agriculture, Education and TradeThese ministries are integrated into the Interministerial Commission for Brexit, responsible for coordinating everything related to the matter and which is chaired by the vice president, minister of the Presidency and for Territorial Administrations.

 

During the meeting, Alfonso Dastis and Michael Barnier They have been able to review the aspects that will be addressed in the future negotiation of the exit from EU UKThe minister also conveyed the main concerns and priorities that Spain He wishes to incorporate into the negotiating mandate and, at the same time, has been able to learn firsthand the Commission's vision.

 

 

 

Minister Dastis reminded the chief negotiator that Spain regrets the British people's decision to withdraw from the EU, as it represents the loss of an important partner with whom Spain maintains close relations.

 

 

The minister Dastis He reminded the chief negotiator that Spain regrets the decision of the British people to withdraw from the UEThis represents the loss of an important partner with whom Spain maintains close relations. Spain desires the best possible agreement with the United Kingdom and the continuation of its collaboration with the EU, but in any case, it must be a balanced agreement.

 

alfonso dastis He has insisted, in particular, that Spain advocates a swift solution to the situation of European citizens in the United Kingdom and Britons in the EU. In this respect, the chief negotiator agreed that the issue of citizens' rights is one of the most important in the negotiations and concurred with Minister Dastis that citizens come first.

 

Both sides also agreed on the need to resolve, at the outset of negotiations and as a matter of priority, the principles governing the financial arrangements of the withdrawal agreement and the rights of citizens. Spain will support the broadest possible agreement on the issue of citizens' rights, the terms of which should be negotiated on the principle of reciprocity.

 

Finally, the chief negotiator has announced a visit to Madrid soon to continue the dialogue with Government of Spain and to extend it to the Spanish Congress and social partners. Minister Dastis noted that he attaches great importance to this continuous exchange of information between the Commission and the other European institutions and Member States.