United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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Prior to the EU's Brexit summit, British Prime Minister Theresa May tried to reach final concessions in Brussels. May met with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday. According to London, the meeting was "part of the ongoing negotiations" on future relations after Brexit. A breakthrough was not announced afterwards. On Saturday, one day before the EU special summit on Brexit, May wants to continue the talks in Brussels.
The EU heads of state and government are meeting on Sunday in Brussels with much domestic pressure on May. At the special meeting, the exit agreement already signed and a political statement on future relations will be adopted. To her there are so far only Stichpunkte.
The approximately two-hour meeting of Juncker and May have made "very good progress," said a Commission spokeswoman. "The work will continue."
The key points for future relations are the "creation of a free trade area" without customs duties. These include agreements on financial services, aviation, energy, fisheries, defense and law enforcement.
Completely formulated text, according to diplomats, must be available on Thursday so that it can be scrutinized before the summit in capital cities. On Friday, the European Counselors of the Heads of State and Government (Sherpas) would meet in Brussels to put the finishing touches to the summit agreement.
Brexit hardliners demand renegotiation
The 585-page withdrawal agreement had already been published last week. In the UK, he has led to several resignations of members of the Cabinet of Prime Minister Theresa May and protests in parliament. Still in the government remaining Brexit hardliners demand from May renegotiations to the exit agreement. That's why most EU countries do not want to make any changes to the contract.
On Saturday, May wants to travel to Brussels again. Further talks with Juncker will focus on how Britain's exit from the European Union can be achieved in the interests of all Britons, she said in a video broadcast from several UK broadcasters in Brussels. On Wednesday was talked about open questions. The negotiators had received "enough instructions" to solve these questions, so there was "progress."
Jack Taylor / Getty ImagesLondon chaos around the Brexit planThe perfect storm
Meanwhile, Spain's demands for changes to the Gibraltar withdrawal agreement were fueled by growing EU resentment. Madrid insists on the right to negotiate the future of Gibraltar in bilateral talks with London. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez therefore renewed his threat on Wednesday with a veto against the Brexit agreement. "If this is not resolved by Sunday, Spain will vote no and use its veto right," said Sánchez.
May: Exit Deal must also apply to Gibraltar
In other Member States, the threats met with displeasure. "We are following the latest developments with growing concern and incomprehension," said an EU diplomat to AFP. Among the other EU countries, the Spaniards were "alone in this case". Nobody wants to "tie up the exit agreement" again. Because this could lead to "that the whole Brexit agreement breaks up".
"We are absolutely steadfast in our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy," said May in a Question Time session of the British Parliament. The exit must also apply to Gibraltar.
Merkel: Germany wants to agree withdrawal agreement
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) said in the Bundestag that she could not yet say exactly how the Gibraltar issue could be solved. But she hopes that this will succeed until Sunday. For the Federal Government, the Chancellor emphasized that Germany wanted to agree to the withdrawal agreement.
Even if an agreement is reached on Sunday, the future of the Brexit deal is open. He must be ratified by the British Parliament. There, opponents of the agreement in recent days collected votes for a possible vote of no confidence against May.