Huge uncertainty in relation to Brexit – Foreign Ministry

  • 2019-01-16
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA – There is huge uncertainty in relation to Brexit or the UK leaving the EU, said Latvian Foreign Ministry’s parliamentary secretary Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica (New Unity) in an interview with the Latvian public radio today.

Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) said in an interview with commercial LNT television today that yesterday’s vote of the British parliament on the Brexit deal that had been as the optimum solution for Latvia’s interest has failed. The British government now has three days to come up with a new proposal.

Edgars Rinkevics is skeptical about a possibility of a new referendum.

Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica noted that the Uk is short of time. If the parliament votes on no-confidence in the government of Theresa May, the UK might face snap elections, and then there is no time to draft a new agreement until the end of March.

If there is no Brexit agreement by the end of March, there are no regulations for relations with the UK and huge uncertainty about the situation of Latvian nationals in the UK, mutual trade and other issues.

Latvia might have to adopt around ten new bills, therefore the government should be functional by then.

Theoretically it is possible that the UK and EU member states might agree on postponing the Brexit date.

Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica said that the ministry has actively informed Latvian residents and business representatives about Brexit processes and the situation if there is no agreement reached about Brexit.

Edgars Rinkevics said that the country’s stance is unchanged – Latvia will protect interests of its nationals and business representatives in the UK.

The minister said that he will call on the Latvian government or parliament to make a decision that Latvia guarantee British nationals the same rights as before, expecting the same step from the UK in relation to Latvian nationals.