Donald Tusk says UK rights proposal 'below expectations'
European Council President Donald Tusk has said Theresa May’s offer to protect EU citizens’ rights post-Brexit is “below our expectations”.
Tusk also said that the offer risked worsening the situation of EU nationals living in the UK when the country leaves the bloc, as the first week of formal Brexit negotiations nears its end.
In a press conference during a summit in Brussels on Friday, Tusk took a hard line against the UK PM’s offer.
Tusk said: “Citizens’ rights are the number one priority for the EU 27, and we have made our position clear. We want to ensure the full rights for EU and UK citizens after Brexit.
Tusk added that the EU’s negotiating team would study the offer in more detail
“My first impression is the UK offer is below our expectations and it risks worsening the situation of citizens.”
The Conservative government entered the key talks this week significantly weaker than it had expected to, having lost its parliamentary majority in the House of Commons following a disappointing election result earlier this month.
Tusk added that the EU’s negotiating team would study the offer in more detail before deciding whether it was satisfactory or not.
May announced on Thursday that Britain would offer all EU citizens the right to stay beyond the scheduled Brexit date of March 2019, and said those resident for five years or more would be able to gain the same rights to pensions, benefits and education as UK citizens do.