PRESS RELEASE
Liverpool, 29 March 2017
As European and global Greens gather in Liverpool for their joint Congress, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May started the process taking the UK out of the European Union.
Following to the formal triggering of article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, European Green Party Co-chairs Monica Frassoni and Reinhard Bütikofer said:
“The first and most important priority for the European Union is now to keep the EU together in the Brexit process and beyond and make sure that the fundamental values and all founding principles of the EU treaties must not be called into question.
“In addition to that, all options must be explored to ensure Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar can retain their membership of the EU.
“It is absolutely key to keep in mind during the whole negotiation process the interest of both the European Union and the UK citizens and make sure that the negotiations don’t lead to the reduction of their current rights and liberties. The four freedoms (free movement of goods, freedom of movement for people, right of establishment and freedom to provide services, free movement of capital) are inseparable and will oppose any deal which would allow free movement for services, goods and capital without allowing free circulation of people. We will also be vigilant about the proposals of the UK concerning the European Convention on Human Rights."
- ENDS -
Eliana Capretti
Head of Communications and Press