Gov't: Protection of Slovaks Living in Britain Will Be Priority in Brexit Talks

Gov't: Protection of Slovaks Living in Britain Will Be Priority in Brexit Talks

Bratislava, April 26 (TASR) – The Slovak Government’s priorities during the Brexit negotiations will be protecting the rights of Slovaks living in the United Kingdom as well as the UK’s financial settlement stemming from the EU membership, according to a Foreign and European Affairs Ministry-sponsored report okayed by the Cabinet at its regular session on Wednesday.

“Slovakia fully respects British voters’ decision to leave the EU and as it will no longer be possible to continue sharing a common EU membership, it’s in our interest to eliminate the negative consequences,” reads the report, adding that Slovakia’s goal is to complete negotiations within two years of triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which pertains to the departure of a member state from the EU.

Slovakia is interested in active involvement in the negotiations of the EU 27 that will focus on preparing positions in order to minimise any negative impacts on Slovak citizens and the economy.

On March 29, British Prime Minister Theresa May sent to the European Council Great Britain’s decision on its intention to exit the EU based on the result of a referendum that took place in June 2016.

Negotiations in the format of 27 EU member states will be launched at an extraordinary summit scheduled for April 29. Guidelines setting out basic positions and principles of the EU 27 will be adopted at the summit. The European Commission will hold negotiations with Britain on behalf of the EU as a negotiator. The negotiations should result in an agreement on Brexit that will be concluded by the Council, on behalf of the EU, after getting the European Parliament’s approval.

Brexit itself will have an impact on the public administration budget, employment and business environment.