UK can expect Macron to be tough on Brexit
Emmanuel Macron does not favour a hard Brexit but will be a tough negotiator in the UK’s talks to leave the European Union, according to the French president-elect’s chief economic adviser.
Jean Pisani-Ferry, who is tipped to play a leading role in Macron’s government, said the UK and Europe shared “mutual interest” in maintaining economic prosperity.
Macron, who won the second round of the French election on Sunday, last year reacted with dismay to the prospect of Britain leaving the EU, describing the referendum result as a “crime” for which Britain should be punished by a “total exit”.
In the run-up to the referendum Macron also warned against the “Guernseyfication” of the UK, saying that by voting to leave the country would “isolate itself and become a trading post and arbitration place at Europe’s border”.
Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether Macron favoured a hard Brexit, Pisani-Ferry said: “I don’t think anybody has an interest in a hard Brexit. I think we need to build a new relationship. There is a mutual interest in keeping prosperity that exists and has built over the years.”
Pisani-Ferry, who could become Macron’s chief sherpa to the EU, according to the FT, also cited the importance of cooperation on defence and security, but added: “We have to keep all that, at the same time we have divergent interest on some aspects of the negotiations, so there will be a tough negotiation and he will be tough.”
Asked if Macron favoured punishing Britain to deter other countries contemplating leaving the EU, Pisani-Ferry said: “Punish, certainly not. But he believes that even today Europe is part of the solution to the problems we are facing. He is a very committed pro-European and he is not the kind of man who would implicitly agree with the dismantling of the EU. He is very keen on building more integration. He’s very keen on strengthening the eurozone.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...acron-to-be-tough-on-brexit-key-adviser-warns
Emmanuel Macron does not favour a hard Brexit but will be a tough negotiator in the UK’s talks to leave the European Union, according to the French president-elect’s chief economic adviser.
Jean Pisani-Ferry, who is tipped to play a leading role in Macron’s government, said the UK and Europe shared “mutual interest” in maintaining economic prosperity.
Macron, who won the second round of the French election on Sunday, last year reacted with dismay to the prospect of Britain leaving the EU, describing the referendum result as a “crime” for which Britain should be punished by a “total exit”.
In the run-up to the referendum Macron also warned against the “Guernseyfication” of the UK, saying that by voting to leave the country would “isolate itself and become a trading post and arbitration place at Europe’s border”.
Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether Macron favoured a hard Brexit, Pisani-Ferry said: “I don’t think anybody has an interest in a hard Brexit. I think we need to build a new relationship. There is a mutual interest in keeping prosperity that exists and has built over the years.”
Pisani-Ferry, who could become Macron’s chief sherpa to the EU, according to the FT, also cited the importance of cooperation on defence and security, but added: “We have to keep all that, at the same time we have divergent interest on some aspects of the negotiations, so there will be a tough negotiation and he will be tough.”
Asked if Macron favoured punishing Britain to deter other countries contemplating leaving the EU, Pisani-Ferry said: “Punish, certainly not. But he believes that even today Europe is part of the solution to the problems we are facing. He is a very committed pro-European and he is not the kind of man who would implicitly agree with the dismantling of the EU. He is very keen on building more integration. He’s very keen on strengthening the eurozone.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...acron-to-be-tough-on-brexit-key-adviser-warns
