London prepares for Brexit
British prime minister Theresa May has recently presented the strategy of her countrys exit from the European Union.
Roxana Vasile, 20.01.2017, 14:01
Britain’s decision last year to leave the European
Union was not a rejection of the values this country shares with
the European Union, but a vote for Britain to become even more global and
internationalist in action and in spirit. This is, in essence, the message
that the British prime minister Theresa
May presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Only two days after having
spoken, at home, about the strategy of a hard Brexit, Theresa May has tried to
ease the concerns of the world economic elite that met in Switzerland.
So what does Britain want? A clear and definitive
break with the EU, which also involves leaving the single market, to which,
however, it further wants access, given that 44% of British exports went there
in 2015. Staying on this market of 500 million consumers would be incompatible
with the Brits’ no. 1 priority – a stricter control of European migration.
Britain, Theresa May says, is open and tolerant, but its citizens’ message was
very clear, namely, through Brexit the number of Europeans entering the country
needs to be controlled.
However, the 3 million European expats in Britain and
the 2 million Britons in the EU are sharing the same worries regarding their
future, as it is uncertain if they may need visas and work and stay permits or
if they may have to pack and go home. As far as Romania is concerned, the prospect
that the free movement of European workers may be in question is inconceivable.
Theresa May has also talked about a new customs deal
with the EU. In short, the British prime minister says that the success of the
EU is in the best interest of London, so that Britain will further be the best
friend and neighbour of its European partners. At the same time, Britain will
look beyond the EU borders, hoping to become a great, global, trading nation, by
signing its own agreements with Commonwealth countries, with the US and the
developed economies in Asia. Moreover, the UK, which has often been at the
vanguard of economic and social changes, will consolidate its newly assumed
role as the strongest advocate for business, markets and free trade anywhere in
the world, Theresa May says.
Only time
will tell if Britain’s desire to leave the EU is an inspired move or not. Exit
procedures must be initiated no later than end-March. This will be only the
beginning of tough negotiations with Brussels and the European partners that
are expected to last at least 2 years.
