This meeting was held a couple of weeks ago in Madrid (22/11/18). John Carrivick, John Richards
and Nigel Aston met Tim Hemmings (Deputy Head of Mission), Lorna Geddie
(Regional Consular Policy Advisor) and Sarah-Jane Morris (HMCG) at EuroCitizens
request to receive an update on HMG´s perspective on specific Brexit
arrangements.
1. Tim Hemming commented that the Political
Declaration had been sent from the Council of Ministers to HMG in the hours
preceding our meeting. No analysis had been undertaken given the tight
time frame and Lorna would revert once this could be done, focussing on
Citizens´ Rights, but would wait until the 25 November Council meeting outcome.
Tim stressed that the declaration covered the future, was non binding, that the
drafting had been undertaken mainly by the "27". He thought that it
contained mention of ongoing mutual recognition of qualifications and that
seems to be borne out by the text
2. There was some discussion of potential (albeit
unlikely) vetos from Spain (Gibraltar) and France (fishing rights). The
meeting took place before the reported exchange between the UK and Spanish
PMs. Tim felt the issues were mostly between the respective Spanish and
French Governments and Taskforce 50 and the other states within EU27
3. In discussion of the Withdrawal Agreement, the
Embassy confirmed that on residence requirements everyone legally residing in
the EU and, inter alia in the UK, by the end of the transition period were
covered and asked EuroCitizens to continue to promote the need to register as a
resident to their members. Recent comments by the UK PM on immigration to
the UK applied only to individuals seeking residence after that date (although
the PM afterwards in fact regretted her use of certain language during Question
Time).
On political rights, separate to both the
Withdrawal Agreement and Future Political declaration, Tim confirmed there
seemed to be a general willingness to extend current municipal voting rights
under a bilateral agreement but less clarity about whether people would be able
to stand as candidates.
4. John R summarised at a high level and in
general terms EuroCitizens´ recent meetings with Spanish ministries.
5. With respect to the possibility of a no deal it
was clear that there is a general feeling this is unlikely. HM Embassy detect
that Spain is planning for a deal. The UK has made overtures to the
effect that citizens´ rights should be protected in the case of a no deal.
Recent pronouncements by Spanish Ministers was attributed to the fact that the
Commission had requested EU27 to analyse their respective positions in the case
of a no deal. Lorna highlighted that the Commission had published the
week before a report on preparedness in the event of a no deal scenario, which
included some information relevant to citizens.
6. The Embassy said that HMG was looking at the
issue of national competences to determine where subsequent bi-lateral
agreements would operate rather than multi-lateral cross EU agreements.
The implementation would apply either on a negotiated agreement or no deal
situation.
7. The Embassy invited EuroCitizens to continue
highlighting the pressure points that citizens face. The issue of
building up residence periods to qualify for permanent residence was cited.
8. The Embassy recognise the importance of
rights of continuing Onward Movement. They emphasised that the UK wanted
this in the future arrangements agreement and advised EuroCitizens to continue
lobbying the Spanish administration on its importance to secure their support
in the drafting.
