Former EU negotiator Michel Barnier has shared insights into Boris Johnson's Brexit motivations and the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU with special terms. In an interview, Barnier recalled a weekend spent with Johnson's father, Stanley, at a French castle, describing the former prime minister as 'cynical to get power.'
Barnier's Reflections on Brexit Negotiations
Barnier, who led the EU's negotiating team after the Brexit referendum, reflected on the fraught talks with various UK counterparts, including David Davis, Dominic Raab, Steve Barclay, and David Frost. He dismissed the idea that the UK's problems are solely due to Brexit but argued that exiting the EU has made challenges more difficult.
Potential for UK Rejoining EU
Barnier stated that it is 'perfectly possible' for the UK to rejoin the EU while retaining its previous opt-outs from the euro and the Schengen zone. However, he emphasized that the EU cannot offer flexibility on trade to avoid giving arguments to far-right parties in France and elsewhere.
He also warned against the rise of far-right leaders like Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, stressing that any perception of the UK benefiting from Brexit without consequences could undermine the EU's unity.
Barnier is now working on creating a European Council for Defence and Security, which would include the UK, Ukraine, Norway, and EU members, to cooperate on military projects and emerging technologies.
