BRUSSELS: European Union leaders spelled out stark conditions for a new relationship with a departing Britain on Wednesday, warning that if British business wants to retain access to the bloc’s single market, the country must accept European workers too.
The leaders produced no clear rehaul for their shaken union after an unusual and emotionally charged summit, but agreed they must make it more relevant to citizens and keep it from disintegrating after Britain’s unprecedented vote to leave on June 23.
The 27 remaining presidents, chancellors and prime ministers said they are “absolutely determined to remain united,” EU Council President Donald Tusk said.
They met without British Prime Minister David Cameron, who left Brussels on Tuesday night without any clear divorce plan, fending off pressure for a quick exit and punting the complex departure negotiations to his successor.
In Britain, nominations opened on Wednesday for a new Conservative leader to replace him after his devastating political miscalculation in calling last week’s referendum.
EU leaders warned the United Kingdom that if it wants to continue to enjoy the seamless single market after its departure, it would also have to accept that EU citizens can continue to enter Britain.
{{/usCountry}}EU leaders warned the United Kingdom that if it wants to continue to enjoy the seamless single market after its departure, it would also have to accept that EU citizens can continue to enter Britain.
{{/usCountry}}That’s the crux of the current tensions: Britain’s “leave” vote hinged on concerns about migration from poorer European Union countries.
Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday pleaded her case in Brussels for Scots to stay in the European Union, showing how Britain’s vote to leave the bloc could splinter the United Kingdom.
But she drew a rebuff from Spain and a mixed response from European officials.