- Title: Brexit ball is in Britain's court - Austria finance minister
- Date: 29th September 2016
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (SEPTEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) AUSTRIAN FINANCE MINISTER, HANS JOERG SCHELLING, WALKING TO STAGE SCHELLING SPEAKING SCHELLING SEATED DURING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRIAN FINANCE MINISTER, HANS JOERG SCHELLING, SAYING: "First of all, the most important step, is to start the procedure by Article 50 which has to be presented by Great Britain and I hope so really soon. Second step is: Great Britain told us they don't want to leave Europe, they just want to leave the European Union, therefore it is necessary to find a way for something like a trade contract, an association contract or whatever it is." VARIOUS OF SCHELLING SPEAKING ABOUT BREXIT DURING A SPEECH (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRIAN FINANCE MINISTER, HANS JOERG SCHELLING, SAYING: "It is not possible to get rights without obligations. And at least, I want to mention that, necessarily, if you want to have access to the single market you have to accept the four freedoms of the European Union." SCHELLING SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRIAN FINANCE MINISTER, HANS JOERG SCHELLING, SAYING: "It is not a solution to say: Just let us wait (to see) what is the opinion of the European Union and then we discuss this a little bit. I think, first of all Great Britain has to deliver, not the European Union." VARIOUS OF SCHELLING SPEAKING AUSTRIA SIGN (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN FINANCE MINISTER, HANS JOERG SCHELLING, SAYING: "What is the next important step? First of all, article 50 needs to be triggered. I can only recommend to everyone in Great Britain to do this as soon as possible, and that is also what I will tell the finance minister (Hammond) today. I think it is important for Great Britain, but also for the European Union, to get out of that phase of uncertainty. Secondly, I think it is right and smart to communicate straight from the beginning that we want a fair and balanced result from these negotiations, which reflects the obligations and privileges in a balanced way. We cannot have a deal where we have only privileges but not obligations - that simply won't be possible. Thirdly, I think it is right that the European Union has decided to only start negotiating once the request to exit has been put in. One should not raise any hopes beforehand, and we should not have a traffic light that is just switched onto green and say 'something is going to be achieved'. What makes me optimistic is that both the prime minister and the finance minister have said during the last meeting in Bratislava that Britain will leave the European Union, but not Europe." PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURE OF SCHELLING SCHELLING LEAVING STAGE
- Embargoed: 14th October 2016 15:40
- Keywords: Austrian Finance Minister Hans Joerg Schelling Brexit EU referendum single market Article 50
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: European Union,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00151MD83R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Brexit ball is in Britain's court and the country should start the procedure to exit the European Union as soon as possible, Austrian Finance Minister Hans Joerg Schelling said on Thursday (September 29).
The country's shock June 23 referendum vote to leave the European Union was a decision that he greatly regretted but that had to be respected, Schelling told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Britain.
"First of all, the most import step is to start the procedure by triggering article 50 which has to be presented by Great Britain, and I hope so really soon," said Schelling.
"Second step is: Great Britain told us they don't want to leave Europe, they just want to leave the European Union so therefore is necessary to find a way for something like a trade contract, an association contract," he said.
Such a contract could allow a cooperation between Great Britain and the bloc on economic issues akin to the way it was now as a member of the European Union.
However, no compromise could be made on the fact that any country wanting access to the bloc's common market had to maintain the so-called 'four freedoms' -- free movement of workers along with movement of capital, goods and services.
"It is not possible to get rights without obligations...If you want to have access to the single market you have to accept the four freedoms of the European Union."
Citing countries like Switzerland and Norway, which have contracts with the EU under specific circumstances, he said Britain would need to find the flexible solution.
"It is not a solution to say: Just let us wait (to see) what is the opinion of the European Union and then we discuss this a little bit."
Prime Minister Theresa May has said Article 50 would not be triggered this year and warned the government would reveal little about its strategy on key issues like immigration and trade as it prepares to negotiate Britain's exit from the EU.
Once the exit process has been started, Britain has an initial two-year period to negotiate its departure. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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