Pittella: S&Ds welcome the adoption by EU Council of the guidelines for the Brexit negotiations

Speaking after today’s meeting of the EU Council, S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said: 

“We welcome the adoption of the guidelines for the Brexit negotiations by the European Council. The Council has fully taken into consideration the Parliament’s main political approach as expressed in the April resolution. The first priority for the negotiations will be to safeguard and guarantee the status and the rights of both EU and UK citizens and their families. 

“We are satisfied that in this very crucial moment, all the EU institutions, as well as member states, have shown unity of purpose and a constructive approach.  

“We share with the Council and the Commission the timeframe and sequence for an orderly Brexit.  We also agree on the core principles to be followed during the negotiations: balance of rights and obligations, integrity of the single market and the assumption that no non-EU member state cannot have the same rights and benefits as a member.”