Guy Verhofstadt: Rights of EU citizens will be negotiated FIRST
Attending her first European Council Summit since her disastrous General Election results, the Prime Minister will brief her Brussels rivals on the UK’s proposals over the rights of EU citizens at a meeting today.
She is expected to outline what sources have described as a “big generous offer” - including a later than expected cut-off date for residency which could guarantee rights for citizens arriving from the EU up until Brexit in March 2019.
Related articles
She told the House of Commons on Wednesday: “We have always said from the beginning of this that we want to address this at an early stage in the negotiations.
“We will soon be setting out our offer in relation to European citizens living here in the United Kingdom.”
But while it may seem like this could be a win for both sides, it is expected the specific proposals over exactly how those rights are guaranteed could cause the first clashes during negotiations.
The European Union remains adamant that the European Court of Justice should act as the ultimate judicial authority in complex individual cases.
A senior Brussels diplomat said: “All I will say is the UK will be a third country [after Brexit]. The logic flows from that.”
We will soon be setting out our offer in relation to European citizens living here in the United Kingdom
But following the exit from the Brussels bloc, Britain has made it clear the court can no longer have jurisdiction over the UK as the Government seeks to “take back control”.
The cut-off date for who qualifies for residency will also prove a moot point for talks.
Michael Barnier said in May: "The cut-off date is simple: it is the day when the UK leaves the EU [March 2019].
“But protection should apply for the life time of the citizens who are concerned."
Tory MP blasts Brussels bosses amid EU citizens' rights row
The two-day Brussels summit will predominately focus on counter-terrorism, common defence and security.
However, at the end of a working dinner, Mrs May is expected to address the other 27 leaders on Brexit and the issue of citizens' rights.
She is not expected to detail any of the specifics of how citizens rights will be protected but instead will give broad assurances.