SEE WHAT THE 27 EU LEADERS WILL SAY ABOUT BREXIT TODAY

BRUSSELS – The European Union’s 27 remaining member states will say on Wednesday that the UK’s withdrawal must be done in “an orderly fashion” and that any future deal must balance “rights and obligations”, according to a draft statement.

The draft statement notes that it is up to Britain to notify the EU of its intention to withdraw, but adds “as soon as it is ready to do so” – a clear sign that EU leaders have accepted the UK government’s position that exit procedures cannot be triggered until a new prime minister is in place. But, the draft adds: “It would be preferable to do this quickly so as to avoid entering into a prolonged period of uncertainty.”

The leaders, who will hold their first meeting without the UK on Wednesday to plan their response to Britain’s withdrawal, will also reiterate that there can be “no negotiations of any kind” before notification has taken place.

The tone of the draft statement is warmer than many of the statements that have come out of Brussels since the Brexit vote last week.

The leaders – who say they “deeply regret the outcome of the referendum” but respect the will of the British people – will state: “In the future, we hope to have the UK as a close partner of the EU and we look forward to the UK stating its intentions in this respect.”

However, the draft continues: “Any agreement, which will be concluded with the UK as a third country, will have to be based on a balance of rights and obligations.”

This refers to access to the single market, which EU leaders are adamant will only be allowed if the UK accepts freedom of movement, but Boris Johnson and other leading Leave campaigners continue to claim that Britain will be able to negotiate a deal that gives full single market access while still allowing the UK to restrict EU migration.

The draft statement goes on to say that the referendum creates a new situation for the EU, but that the remaining member states are “determined to remain united and work in the framework of the EU to deal with the challenges of the 21st century, and find solutions in the interest of our nations and peoples”.

While underlining that the EU is a “historic achievement of peace, prosperity and and security”, the draft suggests the leaders are ready to reform to counter growing discontent across Europe.

The draft states: “At the same time many people express dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, be it at the European or national level. Europeans expect us to do better when it comes to providing security, prosperity and hope for a better future. We need to deliver on this, not least in the interest of the young.”

The statement confirms that the leaders will convene again at an informal meeting in September in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The draft statement shows that the EU is ready to move on without Britain, but that it has accepted the political crisis in the UK means there will be no movement for several months.

A meeting over dinner on Tuesday night at David Cameron’s final European Council in Brussels was described to  Newsmen as “more constructive than expected” by one leader in the room, while another said it was an “emotional gathering”.

There was recognition that Britain needs time to get its house in order. “The UK does not know what it wants from its relationship with the EU,” one source in the room told Newsmen.

Most heads of government/state avoided the confrontational stance on the timing of disengagement, which had been advocated by the European parliament and the European Commission, sensitive instead to the fact that Britain was going through a “crisis”.

Source: www.wisemenhub.com, buzzfeed