EUROPE: Cyprus worried over rising possibility of a disorderly Brexit

The risk of Britain crashing out of the EU is rising as non-ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement becomes the default position, acknowledge EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.

Following talks in Brussels on Monday, ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), the Foreign Minister assured Barnier of the importance Cyprus attaches to unity among the 27 members, and they agreed that the Agreement cannot be renegotiated.

They reviewed the current phase of the Brexit process and stressed the need for the EU to continue efforts for an orderly UK withdrawal through the already negotiated Withdrawal Agreement and exchanged views on emergency measures, with particular emphasis on the issue of British Sovereign Bases in Cyprus.

They looked at measures to be taken in the event of a no-deal Brexit to fully safeguard the rights of Cypriots and other European citizens living and working on two British Sovereign Bases in Cyprus.

Christodoulides briefed Barnier on the measures taken at national level and thanked him for the support of the Commission in this effort.

He welcomed the visit of Deputy Secretary General of the Commission, Celine Gauer, to Cyprus on 5 March, during which she will be given the opportunity to examine more closely the emergency measures, especially in the areas where Cyprus is particularly affected.