'We'll be intransigent' Barnier warns Britain not to test EU's patience over Single Market

The Frenchman insisted that he was not out for
“revenge” or to “punish” the UK but said that British
politicians must “respect” how the the club works in
the same way that Brussels has accepted the
referendum result.
During a debate at the European Parliament in
Strasbourg the EU’s chief negotiator said he had
“great admiration” for Britain as a country and denied
accusations that he is deliberately stalling the talks.
And he reiterated his commitment to securing an
unprecedented new partnership with the UK, but said
he would need a “new mandate” from EU leaders to
open talks on a transition and eventual future trade
deal.
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His intervention came moments before MEPs
overwhelmingly backed a motion put forward by the
parliament’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt,
declaring there has been no “sufficient progress” in the
negotiations so far.
Mr Barnier said: “There are two things which I simply
cannot accept because they are far from being my
way of thinking or my attitude, namely the words
revenge or punishment. My feelings towards the UK
are ones of great admiration and that’s been the case
for a long time now.”
To applause from the chamber, he added: “Honourable
members from the UK, I have huge admiration for your
country and you will never find the tiniest spirit of
revenge or punishment in my attitude towards you,
never.”
The Frenchman said the EU will be 'intransigent' on
the Single Market
The Frenchman then turned on Nigel Farage, who had
earlier told the parliament that Brussels had “treated
us as if we’re some kind of hostage” and demanded
the UK pay a “ransom” to trigger trade talks.
As the former Ukip leader nodded, Mr Barnier said:
“There’s another word, Mr Farage, I cannot accept that
you’ve reiterated which is ransom. Nobody’s holding
anything to ransom. There’s no exit bill.
“It’s simply that when you choose to leave we’re
asking you to settle your account. No more than that.
That’s an important point if we wish to enter into a
new solid sustainable relationship in trade, protection
and security, fighting terrorism, defence.
“We need mutual confidence if we’re to have a
sustainable relationship into the future and the key to
that confidence amongst other things is for you
objectively to acknowledge that you need to settle that
account.”
The
bloc’s
chief
negotiator also denied suggestions made in some
quarters that he is deliberately dragging out the
negotiations to strengthen the bloc’s hands and keep
himself in the limelight for a later tilt at Jean-Claude
Juncker’s job as EU Commission chief.
He insisted: “I can’t quite grasp this idea that I as the
EU negotiator or the EU as a whole are seeking to
drag our heels or to hold you back or playing for time.
We’re not playing for time, you took the time.
“We respect that but quite honestly I cannot accept
that criticism and we are prepared, I am prepared, to
speed up and intensify the pace of negotiations to the
greatest possible extent.
“After 44 years of integration I would recommend that
no-one at all underestimates the legal complications
and the human, social and economic difficulties
inherent in that decision and I’d put it to those who
have made that decision that they need to shoulder
the consequences.”
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel gestures prior to
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[AFP/Getty Images]
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Mr Barnier then laid out some of the EU’s well known
red lines on any exit agreement, including the provision
that it does nothing to undermine the Single Market
and its four “indivisible” freedoms, including movement
of people.
He said: “We respect the sovereign choice of British
citizens. We are implementing the withdrawal that you
have chosen. We respect that choice and therefore
ask you to respect the EU, ask you to respect the fact
we’ll be intransigent on the working of the Single
Market.
“There cannot be an impact of Brexit on European
taxpayers. It has a consequence that would weaken
the Single Market and the four freedoms that are part
and parcel of it. The account we give of ourselves at
the end of these negotiations has to be a true, fair
account.”
On the future trade deal, he turned to Mr Farage - who
had urged Brussels to get on with sealing an
agreement as quickly as possible - and added: "The
trade deal you think will be desirable cannot be signed
with a member state of the EU. Legally you will have
to have left before we can sign a trade deal with
you."

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