Press

As Charles Grant, director of the CER writes in a valuable new upsum of the UK negotiating position: “[Mr Hammond] has not yet risked war with the Eurosceptics by stating in public that linking to the Customs Union is a long-term option, but in private he is reported to be in favour.”

 “Tym bardziej że dominująca rola Berlina raczej szybko nie zniknie. – Brexit spowodował, że Niemcy tracą partnera, który popierał liberalne reformy gospodarcze i dyscyplinę budżetową. Aby uniknąć wrażenia, że sama o wszystkim decyduje, Merkel będzie pokazywać, że współpracuje po partnersku z Macronem. Ale jeśli pozostanie u władzy, nie odejdzie od rygorystycznej polityki finansowej. Nie widzę wielu obszarów do realnego współdziałania z Francją – mówi „Rz" Sophia Besch z Centre for European Reform w Londynie.”

Eksperter i europæisk sikkerhedspolitik som Luigi Scazzieri fra Centre for European Reform (CER) i London er enige i, at beslutningen om permanent forstærket samarbejde er et gennembrud. »Det er klart et vigtigt skridt. Men det er svært at sige præcis, hvad det vil blive brugt til. Lige nu betragter jeg egentlig skabelsen af en forsvarsfond som den vigtigste beslutning«, siger han.

“They can be more relaxed about Britain crashing out without a deal that could destabilize the EU economy and destabilize the euro zone,” said Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.

Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform, a British think tank, has stated that Brexit will not be a single event but a process. This process commenced with the triggering of Article 50, the formal notification to leave. Negotiations must be completed within two years from the date of commencement, unless a time extension is allowed.

The question is whether in 10-15 years the EU side will regret not taking a more proactive approach based on how close a relationship the bloc actually wants with Britain. Here Simon Tilford and John Springford of the Centre for European Reform have some ideas. If Britain makes some progress on the divorce issues, they want the EU to respond “by laying out in public, and in some detail, the four options facing Britain”.

Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, said a growing economy and ebbing of the worst of the refugee crisis had created a more positive backdrop for the EU in the past year, even as specific doubts remained. “In terms of image, which is hugely influential, things are looking up,” he said. “With countries doing better, you would expect a bit more optimism.”

British politicians are still avoiding the hard truths about leaving the EU, say Simon Tilford and John Springford of the Centre for European Reform. To force an honest debate, they suggest that the EU-27 present Britain with four options for Brexit.