Brexit and EU

Brexit

Rome [ENA] Many EU citizens have lost faith in the EU. Brexit has been the latest event to show that the European Union (EU) is in a peculiar state of upheaval. In the early days of the European Union, just as today, not everyone could be convinced of the vision and advantages of a peaceful, united and economically successful Europe. But in 1951 there were people like Paul Henri Spaak, De Gasperi, Adenauer visionary

leaders who inspired the creation of the European Union we live in today. They were European far looking and truly talented persuaders.After 44 years of membership, the UK will leave the EU at the end of March 2019. This was the wish of a small majority of British citizens who participated in the 2016 referendum. The price that both sides have to pay for this is being negotiated by the EU Commission, on behalf of the 27 Mem‭ber States, with the United Kingdom. This is a process that differs from the usual procedures in the EU. Whereas the EU Commission normally seeks to deepen the economic and social integration of various European states, the

Brexit negotiations are about dissolving existing ties. The withdrawal agreement will be discussed by the Member States in the Council. The European Parliament also plays a key role in the negotiations because the exit agreement must be approved not only by the Council, but also by the plenary of the European Parliament (Article 50(2) TEU). The Brexit Steering Group, under the chair of Guy Verhofstadt, was established to prepare the relevant positions. The group regularly comments on proposals put forward during the procedure status of negotiations.

The UK’s declaration of withdrawal means that the EU is faced with an enormous task. By the end of March 2019, the United Kingdom’s existing ties with the EU must be dissolved and the future UK-EU relationship has to be reduced and worked out. A relevant step towards this was the draft withdrawal agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union published by the European Commission on 28 February 2018. According to the draft agreement, there will be no changes to the implementation of EU regulations until the end of the transitional period and the status quo will be extended until 31 December 2020. This would mean that citizens of the EU and the UK will retain the same rights they have had so far with respect to the free

movement of workers. Other than a few ‘practical’ amendments, such as registrations, there are no other changes in this area. The rules set out in the Regulations on the coordination of social security systems (EC) No. 883/2004 and (EC) No. 987/2009 , for example, will also continue to apply to those who are affected by these rules. This is particularly important for the aggregation and payment of pension entitlements from statutory pension insurance schemes.

The same is true for medical care when in other European countries and the use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Current time limitations set by statutory pension and health insurance for the A1 Certificate will be extended to 31 December 2020 at the latest. New energy and motivation are needed today to continue living in the sphere of peace and stability that Europeans take for granted.