CYPRUS: Brexit deal not a landmark to be happy about, as key state leaves the EU

The agreement reached on Sunday on the coordinated withdrawal of the UK from the EU is not a reason to cheer, as an important Member State is leaving the bloc, Cyprus government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said on the sidelines of the Brexit Summit.

Referring to Cyprus, he said that Nicosia is pleased that the Protocol on the British Bases, which is part of the withdrawal agreement, ensures the smooth continuation of the implementation of the EU acquis communautaire in the area of the sovereign British bases. 

He added that the legal rights of Cypriots and European citizens living and working in the bases will continue to apply normally.

"It is a good thing that we have come to an agreement on the coordinated withdrawal of the UK, but this is not a landmark to be happy about, as an important Member State leaves the EU," the Spokesman said.

He said the will of the British people was respected and at the same time safeguarding the rights of the EU itself.

Prodromou said the balanced text that will guide discussions on the future relationship of the EU with the UK and a very important declaration on an, as close as it gets, future relationship.

At the same time, he said, the integrity of the EU legal order, as well as autonomy in planning and decision-making, are safeguarded.

The next steps are the approval by the European Parliament of the agreement and by the British Parliament itself.

“There is optimism that since the decision of the British people and the British government is a given, the agreement will satisfy all sides and be ratified by the European Parliament and the British Parliament.”