Curtain Falls

For the first time in history, a member country leaves the European Union

Corina Cristea, 31.01.2020, 14:00

The UKs separation from the EU has come, after several postponements, marking a first in the organizations decades-long history, and triggering feelings of both sadness and joy. From this perspective, the divorce is like a leap into the unknown, because, despite the negotiations carried in the three and a half years that passed since the British referendum, there are still many things left to settle. Moreover, a member state leaving the EU is a first, so nobody can accurately estimate the consequences or the situations that might occur as a result. How will this moment go down in history, as a brave decision or a hasty one, likely to have unpleasant consequences?

In a talk with the Radio Romania correspondent in London, the Romanian ambassador to the UK Dan Mihalache says that either of the two scenarios is possible:

“What started as a verification test rather, has turned into a reality that, one way or another, changes the configuration of European architecture, changes the geopolitical architecture too, and it sets a precedent with regard to the functioning of the EU. Its a challenge, and I would say its the biggest challenge so far since the turn of the current century.”

As regards the over 400,000 Romanians working or studying in the UK, the Romanian ambassador believes they have no reason to worry. Dan Mihalache has stated that Romanians will be able to travel to Great Britain without needing a passport or a visa, at least until the end of this year. At the same time, the settled or pre-settled status guarantees the same rights for these citizens, at least for a predictable period of time, the ambassador has also stated.

The MEP Iuliu Winkler too has offered clarifications on this topic:

“430,000 Romanians filed the necessary documents to get the settled or pre-settled status in the UK by December 31st, as our ambassador to London has informed us. The Brexit treaty includes certain aspects, though, that will need to be regulated in the coming months.”

“The UK is an extremely valuable partner to Romania, not just economically or because of the many Romanians that live there, but also strategically and culturally, and due to the many things that have connected us throughout history. That is why we will have to have a common thinking on this and to come up with clear and precise regulations, so as to continue both the relation between Romania and the UK, and also the one between the UK and the EU”, the Romanian MEP has also stated.