The EU is facing the most crucial test this week since the union’s creation, as its leaders are trying to deal with the Brexit. After the initial reactions by EU officials and member state heads that urged the UK to leave the EU as soon as possible, it has become increasingly evident that the departure process cannot be achieved in a hasty manner.
Following a flurry of contacts over the weekend, the 27 EU leaders estimate the circumstances are not ideal for the UK to use article 50 of the EU treaty to expedite procedures for the ‘divorce’. An EU official said that due to the political crisis that has emerged in the UK after the referendum result it was understandable that any demands for the procedures to move forward within the week were unrealistic. The same source added, however, that article 50 could be activated by the UK via a letter, or orally to the President of the European Council, while he stressed that there would be no renegotiation for the UK’s re-entry into the EU.
The coming week is expected to see even more contacts between EU officials and heads of state in order to deliberate on a way forward and hammer out a common strategy on the Brexit. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Mateo Renzi, Monday in Berlin. Hollande and Merkel met Sunday and expressed total agreement on how to manage the crisis.
Meanwhile, the EU Summit meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday is expected to be of particular interest, as UK PM David Cameron will meet with his EU colleagues and inform the them on the domestic political turmoil in the UK after the Brexit. During the meeting the departure timetable is also expected to be on the table of talks. On Wednesday, the other 27 EU leaders will meet in an unofficial Summit to deliberate on how to proceed with the Brexit, although no formal decision should be awaited, since Britain has to formally request for the activation of article 50 before any other actions can be taken.
