France triggers ‘hard Brexit’ plan as no-deal exit is more and more likely
EURONEWS
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced on Thursday that the country’s plan to soften the impacts of a possible hard Brexit has been activated, including a €50 million investment programme to help ports and airports.
The announcement came just days after British MPs voted against the Withdrawal Agreement, increasing the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.
“We can regret this rejection or rejoice in it, but in any case what is certain is that the scenario of a no-deal Brexit is less and less unlikely,” Philippe told reporters.
“Under these conditions, our responsibility is to make sure that our country is ready, that the interests of our citizens are preserved and defended,” he said.
€50 million for ports and airports
The French government started working on its contingency plan in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal in April 2018.
The plan includes five emergency laws to be pushed through within the next three weeks.
The first of which is to be passed on Thursday and will enable British citizens living in France to forgo asking for a residency permit for the next year. Philippe said the law was “subject to reciprocity.”
A €50 million investment programme in ports and airports, which Philippe described as “the most important places when it comes to imminent changes to be made in light of a no-deal Brexit,” will also be triggered. The money is earmarked for infrastructure dealing with customs and border checks.
The French government will also recruit 600 staff including customs officers and veterinarians.
Philippe conceded however that “more work” needs to be done, particularly “to defend the interests of French fishermen.”
He said the government will set out further details to address the issue, one of the thorniest in Brexit negotiations, in February.