Four central European countries are prepared to veto any Brexit deal agreed between the UK and the European Union that restricts their citizens’ rights to live and work in Britain, the prime minister of Slovakia has said. “Unless we feel a guarantee that these people [living and working in Britain] are equal, we will veto any agreement between the EU and Britain,” Fico told Reuters. The European commission and parliament, in addition to the 27 remaining member states who must ratify a future Brexit trade deal, have repeatedly made clear that enhanced access to the single market will not be on offer unless Britain accepts free movement. He said on Saturday that fierce Visegrad opposition to mandatory quotas for refugees had persuaded the EU to shift its approach to the migrant crisis. In principle the article 50 exit negotiations, over which members states will not have a veto, must be concluded before the new trade deal can be addressed.

Source: The Guardian September 17, 2016 20:01 UTC