Maltese MEP Alfred Sant called on the EU Institutions that are involved in the negotiations on Brexit, to be as clear as possible towards the EU citizens on the challenges and problems that the Brexit negotiators will be tackling. It is therefore very important to start discussing the internal arrangements before the Brexit negotiations has been finalised.

In particular, it is especially relevant with regard to the financial implications for the EU. Dr Sant made this intervention at the Plenary of the European Parliament during which the representative of the EU Presidency in the European Council presented the main topics to be discussed at the upcoming European Council to take place between 20-21 October notably, migration, trade and EU relations with Russia. The majority of MEPs addressing the meeting also emphasised that Brexit is also a key topic which should be addressed by the EU Heads of State and Government.

Dr Sant said that one accepts that the EU should not, either on its own or through informal contacts with the UK, start to review options for the Brexit negotiations before these commence. The same need not apply for the EU’s internal arrangements once Brexit has been consummated. This is especially relevant with regard to the financial implications for the Union of being less the UK.

Dr Sant said that media houses and research bureaus have made their calculations. “The Union’s income will suffer a sizeable shortfall with the disappearance of the UK’s net contribution. What will the implications of this be, for ongoing and future EU projects? What will be the dimensions of the shortfall, seen from a purely accounting perspective? And from an operational one? How can this deficit be countered?” asked Dr Sant.

These questions in no way prejudice the conduct of future Brexit negotiations. They relate to the available options for internal reorganization of the EU post Brexit. Misinformation about this may be contributing to ongoing uncertainties as much as the wait for Brexit negotiations to start. Deep background provided publicly as of now by the Commission and/or Council about the scale of the challenges and problems in this regard would help dampen such uncertainties, said Sant.