Lobbying MEPs on citizens rights

[Fred]

I've had 1 reply from a Conservative MEP

Quote:

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Thank you for contacting me on citizens’ rights.

The European Parliament is in regular dialogue with citizens, including the “British in Europe” and “the3million” groups.

I want to reassure you that EU and UK negotiators on both sides want to reach an amicable agreement of citizens’ rights. As Theresa May has made clear, the UK will remain an open and tolerant nation that welcomes EU citizens post-Brexit.

In June 2017 the Home Office published a white paper which ensures that EU citizens currently living and working in the UK can secure “settled status” once the UK leaves the EU. In November the Home Office published further technical notes on the streamlined application system for EU citizens to obtain settled status.  Both the UK and the EU work on the understanding that a deal on the future rights of citizens should be secured on a reciprocal basis - a key ask by the European Commission’s Article 50 Task Force led by Michel Barnier.

While important progress has been made on the issue, it is unfortunate that the European Council concluded in October 2017 that “sufficient progress” had not been made on the three key priorities, which also include the exit bill and the border with Northern Ireland. The EU’s insistence that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” in negotiations means that a deal securing citizens' rights has not yet been finalised. It is very unfortunate that the EU’s negotiating strategy is causing a huge amount of uncertainty for thousands of people.

I therefore understand your concern but I would like to reassure you that an amicable deal on citizens’ rights will I am sure be reached before the cut-off date of 29 March 2019.

Pretty much what I expected and we are still getting nowhere, but at least one has replied.