Michel Barnier, the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator, has stated that the United Kingdom could rejoin the European Union on a 'short' timeline because of the remaining alignment on regulations. Speaking at the UK in a Changing Europe Brexit anniversary conference in London, Barnier also proposed a new European security and defence council that would allow formal cooperation with non-EU European countries such as the UK and Norway.
Regulatory alignment could speed up re-entry
Barnier highlighted that the UK's existing regulatory alignment with the EU could facilitate a swift rejoining process. 'It is so important to be together, not to be a subcontractor to China or the US,' he said, emphasising the need for economic security in Europe. While he declined to specify a precise timetable for potential re-entry, he noted: 'It could be short.'
However, Barnier predicted that the political decision by the UK government to seek rejoining would take considerably longer than the actual accession process. 'It would take much longer for the UK government to decide to rejoin than to become a member again,' he said.
No cherrypicking on single market freedoms
Barnier reiterated a firm stance that the UK would not be allowed to pick and choose which parts of the single market to participate in. 'There will be no cherrypicking,' he warned, emphasising the indivisibility of the four freedoms of the single market: free movement of labour, capital, services, and goods. 'We will take no risk about this,' he stated.
Proposal for a European security and defence council
Barnier also floated the idea of a new European Council for Security and Defence that would operate alongside existing EU institutions. This body would be open to key non-EU allies such as the UK, Norway, and Ukraine. 'I proposed creating a European Council for Security and Defence alongside the current institution, in the spirit of the coalition of the willing, working well and working efficiently to support Ukraine with the British government and many others,' he explained. 'I think in that script it could be clever, useful to create what I call European Council for Security of Defence on the side of institution, open to some countries who play a key role outside the EU, not yet in the EU.'
Impact and implications
Barnier's comments come as the UK continues to navigate its post-Brexit relationship with the EU. While rejoining the bloc remains a contentious political issue within the UK, his remarks suggest that the technical and regulatory hurdles might be less daunting than often assumed, even as political barriers remain significant. The proposal for a security council indicates a potential avenue for deeper cooperation without full EU membership.
