“We must remain vigilant” for a Brexit without agreement

This Tuesday, on the Web Summit, Michel Barnier, chief negotiator for Brexit in the EU, was one of the main highlights with his speech on the future of the European Union after the departure of the United Kingdom.

The French politician began his speech by saying that Brexit “is not just about the divorce between the EU and the UK. There are many other consequences. It’s about creating a new partnership that gives stability to the continent”.

“There is a need to provide security for citizens of EU countries living in the UK and for the British living abroad. There are over four million people,” he said.

The negotiator added that the European Union has two objectives that it wants to fulfil with the negotiations, such as peace and the protection of the single market, saying that because of this, the EU is respected both “in Beijing and in Washington”.

Michel Barnier also stressed that the “risk of a cliff remains” and that “we must all remain vigilant for this possible outcome [of a Brexit without agreement]. But if we can reach agreement, future generations will look on it positively”.

In about 25 minutes, Barnier still had time to address a final word tailored to the entrepreneurs present at this event in Lisbon. “If the EU doesn’t act now,” he said, our technological future “will be decided” in the US and China.