Donald Tusk rejects MPs claims for protection of British citizens living in EU
European Council President Donald Tusk has rejected a notion from lawmakers in the United Kingdom about protection being offered to British citizens living in Europe following Brexit.
Tusk has taken a hard-line stance against any concessions espoused by politicians in Britain after the country voted to leave the bloc in June. European leaders want Prime Minister Theresa May to invoke Article 50 as soon as possible to begin formal negotiations for its departure.
Eighty-one MPs urged the EU to act in order to safeguard the interests of British citizens living in other member states, and also those of European citizens currently residing in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is unclear whether those people who have emigrated to Britain or Europe will have to return to their countries when the UK eventually leaves the bloc.
In a letter addressing the point published on Tuesday, Tusk said that the proposal was "a very interesting argument, the only problem being that it has nothing to do with reality".
Tusk added that the only way to provide any clarity was for the British government to act decisively on the issue.
"Would you not agree that the only source of anxiety and uncertainty is rather the decision on Brexit?" he asked. "And that the only way to dispel the fears and doubts of all the citizens concerned is the quickest possible start of the negotiations."
More than one million British citizens are currently living on the continent, and the leaders of the bloc are keen not to give any information away as to what their situation will be until formal talks start.
"Just like you, I would like to avoid a situation where citizens become ‘bargaining chips’ in the negotiation process," Tusk said. "In order for this not to happen, we will need precise and comprehensive solutions, which, other than nice-sounding expressions, will provide citizens with genuine guarantees of security."