Citizens’ rights, the UK’s Northern Ireland border with the Irish Republic and the UK’s financial obligations were the focus of the Brexit debate ahead of the summit of the European Council of government leaders which will discuss the direction of future relations between the EU and the UK should take.

The draft resolution, that was debated in the European Parliament (EP) this morning, calls for any British citizens living in Europe or EU citizens living in the UK to keep free movement rights; that all citizens’ rights are to be extended to “future partners” of EU and UK citizens; that EU court decisions over citizens’ rights are to have a “binding character”; and guarantees that commitments on the future of the Irish border are “fully enforceable”.

There are also further commitments that the next stage of negotiations will finalise withdrawal and transition issues; that trade and foreign policy be the basis of the EU’s and the UK’s relationship; but stressed that any future relations can only be negotiated once the UK has left.

The motion named five areas which are essential for any future agreements between the EU and the UK; the environment and climate change; consumer protection; tax evasion and avoidance; data protection and privacy; social and workers’ rights. 

Estonian Minister for EU Affairs Matti Maasikas, who was speaking on behalf of the Estonian rotating EU presidency, began the debate by assuring parliament that Brexit talks between EU member states are advancing and expected them to move to the next stage of discussions in the future.

He went on to say that EU Leaders should welcome the non-legally binding interim Brexit deal struck by UK PM Theresa May and the European Commission; however, he was quick to stress that there remain issues when it comes to the nation’s withdrawal and the EU’s transition.

The Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans told parliament that Brexit presented an opportunity for the EU to make better use of its current economic growth and focus on strengthening the union’s financial institutions, specifically the banking sector.

“I hope I will be able to count on you,” Timmermans told parliamentarians as he asked for support in the future reforms the eurozone will face.

Turning to migration, specifically the quota scheme, the commissioner said that this system has proved incredibly ineffective, and called for a "comprehensive European approach". 

The Chief Brexit negotiator for the European Commission Michel Barnier was next to take the floor, and stressed that the interim deal marked a very important moment in the discussions and sent a message of confidence of those who are anxious of the EU’s future.

With regards to citizens’ rights, Barnier stressed that there was still much to be negotiated and also ensured that the EU’s stance on the free market and the four principles that come with is non-negotiable.

Guy Verhofstadt, who is the Brexit representative for the EP but was speaking in his capacity at the Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, began his intervention by criticising Brexit MEPs, and UK Brexit Secretary David Davis, for being the driving force behind the UK’s withdrawal and now asking for “a,b,c…all the way to z"

Verhofstadt has tabled two amendments, one of which calls on the UK to “fully respect” the gentlemen’s agreement on Brexit made between May and the Commission last week.

Syed Kammall, who is British MEP that backed Brexit, told the EP that it was imperative that both sides of the negotiations focused on looking to the future rather than the past; and stressed that the UK’s withdrawal does not mean that common interests between the EU, specifically in the fields of trade and security,should change.

Former UKIP Leader and face of the Brexit movement Nigel Farage criticised Theresa May for dancing to the tune of the EU, expressing dismay that the PM has made to many concessions in the negotiations. 

He also scrutinised EU citizens’ rights in Britain saying that it just means that open-door, uncontrolled immigration will continue.

Labour's leader in the European Parliament, Richard Corbett, would go on to warn the EP that it appears that the UK is not prepared for the second round of negotiations.

"Do not pretend that the first stage issues are settled," he said.