RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Brexit Officially On

PM Theresa May signed the letter that formally begins the UKs departure from the European Union.

Brexit Officially On
Brexit Officially On

, 29.03.2017, 12:46

The UKs withdrawal from the European Union has been officially initiated, with the triggering of Art. 50 of the Treaty on the European Union. The head of the British Government, Theresa May, signed the letter notifying the process to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. According to community procedures, the letter is also forwarded to the European Commission and to the Conference of the leaders of political groups in the European Parliament.



After the referendum last summer, when a majority of Britons voted for the UK to leave the EU, the European Union announced that, during negotiations, the unity and interests of the 27 remaining members will be a priority. Moreover, it warned that the single market and the four freedoms, namely free movement of goods, services, capitals and people, go hand in hand.



Radio Romanias correspondent in Brussels says that the European Parliament is expecting the British PM to quickly clarify the legal status of the EU citizens living in the UK. The Unions chief negotiator, the French Michel Barnier, hopes that a partnership with London might be reached by October 2018. Until then however, Barnier says, a judicially complicated and politically sensitive process will follow, and its economic impact on both sides will be huge.



Still disgruntled with the results of the vote, thousands of Londoners rallied once again on Saturday, to protest Britains decision to leave the Union. In turn, the Parliament of Scotland decided that a new referendum would be held regarding Scotlands independence from London. Most of the Scotts and Northern Irish people voted that the UK should stay in the EU. And while in a 2014 independence referendum 55% of Scotlands citizens had decided to remain a part of the United Kingdom, now First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the two should go separate ways. She warns that Scotland, and the UK as a whole, are at a crossroads.



And in fact, Europe as we know it is facing a turning point. Over the past six decades, the Union has expanded steadily, with 22 new countries joining the 6 founding member states. Britains leaving is the first step backwards so far, but it is also a warning that Brussels, often accused of excessive bureaucracy, inefficiency and indifference to the expectations of common people, has spent up the confidence that citizens had placed in it.



On Saturday in Rome, where they celebrated 60 years since the EU founding treaty was signed, the leaders of the remaining member states pledged to make the EU stronger and more resilient. On behalf of Romania, President Klaus Iohannis said the informal summit in Rome was both a celebration, and an opportunity to look back and draw some conclusions. “Preserving the unity of the 27 member states is and must remain our goal in the future, the Romanian President concluded.


(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Photo: aep.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Romania’s economic growth estimate has been recalculated by the European Commission (EC), at a value well below the initially established...

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company