By Ben Kerrigan-
The Slovakia prime minister, Robert Filo, has said that Europe will make Brexit ” very painful” and ensure Britain is worse off outside the EU, as he talked down Britain’s professed confidence about Brexit, as ” bluff”.
Adding his weight to the tense mood in Europe over post Brexit privileges, he said Britain would not be allowed to make EU workers second class citizens” whilst continuing to enjoy the benefits if Europe’s single.market.
” It will be be very difficult for the UK, very difficult, he said in an interview with the financial times. ” The EU will take this opportunity to show the public: listen guys, now you will see why it is important to stay in the EU. This will be the position”.
In the midst of expressing respect for UK prime minister, Theresa May, he also expressed pity for her predicament and dismissed any notion that the allure of Britain’s economy would make the EU bend to its Brexit demands.
” What would you say if you were in their position? Even if it is the fifth biggest economy in the world – this will still be very painful for the UK, he said. ” They are bluffing. If you were in their position, you would do the same. ‘ It will alk be fine, it will be fantastic, you will see’.
RESIDENCY
Millions of eastern European workers reside in the UK, exercising EU residence rights, whilst the Brexit referendum outcome automatically brings an end to the traditional rights to freedom of movement that has long formed Britain’s previous 40 year relationship with the EU.
Mr Fusco raised the equal treatment of his citizens in Britain as the most important demand, if Britain wishes to access the single market.
He claimed the divorce process from the EU could be a success if EU and British workers receive equal treatment, before contradicting himself by stating ” even then it will be more painful for the UK”.
SECOND CLASS
Mr Fisco made reference to the uk creating” a group of citizens of second class”, later suggesting that European leaders would send Britain to hell, but not ” as soon as possible”.
” We are patient”, he said. We are fine because we know what we want”, he added. The question is whether Britons know what they want? That is the mystery. Is it an issue of preparedness or tactics? It seems to me like unpreparedness. They are still in shock”.
Theresa May expects to trigger Article 50 to commerce the formal Brexit process early next year, in line with.her emphatic rhetoric that “Brexit means Brexit”.