MEPs discuss future EU-UK relations after Brexit

Any framework for the future relationship between EU and UK must respect the integrity of the EU single market and four freedoms, insist MEPs.

MEPs reiterated that an association agreement between the EU and the UK could provide an appropriate framework for the future relationship, in a debate with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier on the state of play of the Brexit negotiations on Tuesday.

But they also stressed that whatever form of the future relationship takes, it must respect the integrity of the EU single market, customs union and four freedoms and safeguard the EU legal order without allowing for a sector-by-sector cherry-picking approach.

Finally, MEPs called for the EU-UK joint commitments on citizens’ rights, financial obligations and the Irish border issue to be translated into an orderly withdrawal agreement, which must be completed before a possible transition period can start.