We know at least the point they're starting negotiations from, and
they're unequivocal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-36570120
Quote:
There can be "no single market a la carte" for the UK, EU leaders have warned, after meeting in Brussels to discuss the UK vote to leave the bloc.
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, said anyone wanting access to the EU's internal market had to adhere to strict criteria "without exception".
There could be "no negotiation without notification", he said.
The German and French leaders and the Council President said the same.
French President Francois Hollande has spoke in Brussels, reiterating the warning on freedom of movement made by European officials.
He said if the UK wants to keep access to the single market it must play by rules, pay into the EU's budget and respect all four freedoms, including movement, adding: "You can't accept some but not others."
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On the happier side and as expected:
Quote:
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And he said there was "no sense" in scrapping the agreement which sees UK border agents working on French soil to keep migrants trying to reach Britain in Calais. The agreement is bilateral, not at EU level, he noted.
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So no 'spite'. If anything if I'm honest I've been pleasantly surprised with the reaction from across the water. Regretful, some sadness but businesslike which is about the best we could've hoped for under the circumstances. Fingers crossed, and we should be fine as long as Farage doesn't go on another rant, gloating and being obnoxious, it remains that way.
Perhaps more relevant than just hearing it collectively, Merkel
saying the same thing to her own parliament too:
Quote:
Britain cannot expect to “keep the privileges” of ties with the EU without any of the obligations, Angela Merkel has said, as the EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said he had imposed a ban on EU officials from holding secret Brexit talks with the UK.
In a clear rebuttal to Boris Johnson’s claim that the country could retain access to single market – seen as vital to the economy and jobs market – the German Chancellor told her parliament that free access to the single market was only for countries that accepted the free movement of people, capital and goods.
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She's also said that those who think the UK somehow isn't leaving the EU are fooling themselves, and she is of course right on that score.
EDIT: Just to add Viktor Orban, PM of Hungary who's been pretty aggressive in his criticism of EU migration policy has said much the same regarding free movement. We will get no special dispensations if we want full single market access.
I refer back to
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35846878-post732.html