France calls second Brexit delay talk 'premature' and is 'awaiting a credible plan'
France considers it "premature" to discuss an additional delay to Britain's exit from the European Union, demanding that London presents "a clear plan" that would justify pushing Brexit back again, a French presidency source said on Friday.
France had "taken note" of the formal request that Britain had made on Friday for an extension to June 30th, the source said, adding: "We are waiting for a credible plan between now and the (EU) summit on April 10th, when we will study the request."
"A delay is a tool, but it is not a solution in itself," the source said.
READ ALSO
-
French government's decree for Brits in the event of a no-deal Brexit: What you need to know
-
No-deal Brexit could make health insurance compulsory for some Brits in France
British Prime Minister Theresa May has written to the EU to request another extension to Brexit. Photo: AFP
In a letter, British Prime Minister Theresa May told EU Council president Donald Tusk that she wanted to ensure her country left the bloc in an "orderly way", as she fights to have the current exit deal approved by parliament.
The EU has already agreed to move back the original March 29th deadline to April 12th to give May more time to win backing from MPs for a deal.
British lawmakers have already rejected the deal she negotiated with the EU three times.
Earlier on Friday, an EU official said Tusk would suggest to member states that they offer Britain a flexible 12-month delay to Brexit, removing some of the pressure on May to ram through a deal by next Wednesday's summit meeting.
But a French diplomatic source appeared to pour cold water on that idea as well, describing the rumours about such an extension as "a clumsy trial balloon."
Comments (1)
See Also
France had "taken note" of the formal request that Britain had made on Friday for an extension to June 30th, the source said, adding: "We are waiting for a credible plan between now and the (EU) summit on April 10th, when we will study the request."
"A delay is a tool, but it is not a solution in itself," the source said.
READ ALSO
- French government's decree for Brits in the event of a no-deal Brexit: What you need to know
- No-deal Brexit could make health insurance compulsory for some Brits in France
British Prime Minister Theresa May has written to the EU to request another extension to Brexit. Photo: AFP
In a letter, British Prime Minister Theresa May told EU Council president Donald Tusk that she wanted to ensure her country left the bloc in an "orderly way", as she fights to have the current exit deal approved by parliament.
The EU has already agreed to move back the original March 29th deadline to April 12th to give May more time to win backing from MPs for a deal.
British lawmakers have already rejected the deal she negotiated with the EU three times.
Earlier on Friday, an EU official said Tusk would suggest to member states that they offer Britain a flexible 12-month delay to Brexit, removing some of the pressure on May to ram through a deal by next Wednesday's summit meeting.
But a French diplomatic source appeared to pour cold water on that idea as well, describing the rumours about such an extension as "a clumsy trial balloon."
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.