The German chancellor hardens the tone as negotiations between Europe and the United Kingdom skate.
By Le Figaro with AFP
–The United Kingdom will “assume the consequences»Of a weaker economic relationship with the EU after the process of Brexisaid today Angela Merkelhardening the tone as negotiations for an agreement on future relations skate.
While the British government led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to define the posture that will be its after the country’s withdrawal from the EU, “he will then, of course, have to bear the consequences – that is, a less closely linked economy“Warns the German Chancellor in an interview with daily newspapers from the Europa network, including The world.
Germany will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1 for six months. “We have to get rid of the idea that it is we who define what the UK should wantAsserts the Chancellor, who in the past has always redoubled efforts to avoid a hard Brexit. “UK defines and we, as the EU of 27, respond appropriately“, She says now. “If the United Kingdom does not want regulations comparable to that of Europe on the environment, the labor market or social standards, our relations will lose intensity“, She adds.
The EU finds itself facing tough negotiations on the recovery fund of 750 billion euros intended to provide a response to the European countries most affected by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This fund “cannot solve all of Europe’s problems“But you have to,” says Angela Merkel, “gir quickly faced with the pandemic», Given the state of the European economy with unemployment rates which can become very high in certain countries. This could “have an explosive political impact“And therefore aggravate the”threats to democracy“, She warns. “For Europe to survive, its economy must also surviveSays the Chancellor.
See also – Brexit: Johnson plans deal in July if negotiations speed up
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