Before the crucial talks between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday about a post-Brexit agreement, the Green MEP said Anna Cavazzini, Chair of the Internal Market Committee:
“The EU must not allow itself to be blackmailed by Johnson. European internal market means European rules.
“Boris Johnson thinks he’s there. He now has a political endgame that allows him to stage himself. But the European Union must stick to the negotiating line set by Michael Barnier. There can only be access to the European internal market if fair and equal conditions prevail: clear subsidy rules and strict labor, environmental and climate standards. Furthermore, the open border on the Irish island must be ensured. The single market law, which Johnson was promoting out of sheer negotiating tactics, must be taken off the table. Peace on the island of Ireland must not be jeopardized.
Johnson’s negotiating maneuver is easy to understand. Build up pressure and try to pull the EU states apart at the last minute. But the EU must not allow itself to be blackmailed. There is no environmental discount for access to the internal market. European internal market means European rules. “
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