24.10.2017

Elmar Brok’s statement during today’s debate in the European Parliament on the conclusions of the European Council meeting on October 19th and 20th 2017:

Elmar Brok, the Brexit coordinator of the European People’s Party and the Brexit Sherpa in the European Parliament , commented today during the European Parliament’s debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting on October 19th and 20th 2017:

The European Council is on the right path in regard to a stronger defense policy and a more active Africa policy. These measures are important in order to give Europe’s citizens security and to fight the strengthening of right wing populism.

Additionally, I want to thank the Council and the Commission for maintaining Michel Barnier’s current negotiations mandate. We want constructive talks and a good relationship with the UK. We should however not give up our negotiating strategy and sacrifice the financial obligations as a trade-off for good trade relations, just because the Tories are unable to agree upon a constructive way forward in regard to the financial obligations.