“We should be developing the model that suits the United Kingdom and the European Union, not adopting necessarily a model that’s on the shelf already”.
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The main themes during the meeting were the situation of Poles in Britain in the context of Brexit as well as bilateral relations.
At the event in Bratislava, May spelled out that the UK’s deal with the European Union will have to take into account voters’ views on immigration control.
The economy grew fairly robustly in the run-up to the vote but economists expect businesses and consumers to cut back after the referendum shock, although a dive in the pound has helped some companies which make most of their earnings aboard.
Barnier is expected in London as a tough negotiator, especially when it comes to allowing UK-based banks to operate in the eurozone and maintain full access to the single market.
May repeated that message in Warsaw, saying the voters had sent a “very clear message that they do not want free movement to continue as it has in the past”.
“It will take time to work out the nature of our relationship”.
“We need to find a solution that addresses the concerns of the British people about free movement while getting the best possible deal on trade in goods and services”, she said.
“It remains to be seen how the uncertainty around the impact of the Brexit vote will feed through to pay settlements, but we are likely to see pay awards remaining subdued for many months to come”, XpertHR’s Sheila Attwood said.
“The only circumstances in which that would not be possible would be if the rights of British citizens living across the European Union were not guaranteed”.
But sentiment in the wider bloc, which includes non-euro zone countries like Britain, fell to reflect a sharp decline in optimism in the wake of the 23 June British referendum to leave the EU.
“Of course there will be different interests and complex issues to resolve but I firmly believe that if we approach this in a constructive and positive spirit then we can pave the way for a calm and orderly departure”.
‘For them the issue of migration is especially the issue of migrant workers from the European Union in the UK.
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“On the other hand, as the country holding the presidency, we hope to make the best use of the time before triggering Article 50 to redefine the vision for Europe for the future for the remaining 27 member states to discuss our future and also to offer a vision to our citizens”. Her meetings follow others with the leaders of Ireland, Germany, France and Italy.
