From the BBC:
"Brexit: Europeans look to
uncertain future as UK leaves EU”
Forty-seven years ago, in 1973,
the UK joined an organisation that aimed to bring European nations closer
together. The British people voted two years later to remain in what became the
European Union (EU), but in a 2016 referendum voted to leave. On Friday 31 January, at 23:00 GMT, the UK
made history as the first EU member state to legally leave the bloc. Europeans
from several of the remaining 27 member states have shared their thoughts about
Brexit and the EU.
'I have mixed feelings' Justyna Grudzien, 20, violinist from Poland: As a member of the European Union Youth
Orchestra, I've met several people from the UK - and they're all concerned
about Brexit. For them, it means they can no longer be members of the
orchestra, whose main goal is to connect people from EU countries. This
orchestra has over 40 years of history and from the beginning people from the
UK were a very important part. I think most of the organisers are British. For
the rest of the orchestra, including me, travelling to the UK will not be as
easy. We previously only needed a form of ID, but now who knows what will
happen - we probably won't be able to travel without a visa. It is heart-breaking.
On the other hand, I think the EU can, in some cases, put too much pressure on
member states. The union is a wonderful idea for connecting European countries,
but right now it doesn't seem to work.
'Uncertainty of no-deal still
worries me' Gabriele Caredda, 27, NHS nurse from Sardinia, Italy: As an NHS
staff member, I was advised to apply for pre-settled status as it would, in
theory, be enough for me to continue living and working in the UK. The uncertainty of a no-deal Brexit worries
me, though, as we don't know if the situation will change, or what will be
required of EU citizens in order for us to continue working in the country in
the future. I think UK membership of the EU has been positive for both parties.
It has allowed the free flow of people and ideas, and enabled a lot of young
people to have experiences abroad, to face and explore a different culture and
way of thinking. Migrant salary
threshold fall 'would boost public sector' I was really disappointed with the
Brexit result because I always thought the UK was a kind of multicultural
oasis, where everybody could find their place in a society that appreciated
them for what they were bringing to the table.
'It won't have a huge impact on
our business' Kate O'Sullivan, 27, Irelands Eye Knitwear, Ireland:
Brexit will have some affect on
our business, but not a huge impact. As
a company based out of the island of Ireland, we have always relied on export
markets to grow our business, and approximately 55% of what we produce is
exported to over 20 countries worldwide. Our exports to the UK make up about 3% of our
overall business - so quite a small portion. To lose this business would be a
pity, however we are in a better position than some other Irish companies who
rely heavily on their UK customers. In preparation for Brexit, we are focusing
more on other export markets such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands in
order to achieve growth there, although it is difficult to prepare when we do
not know the exact outcomes. The EU has been very good for Europe - the
facilitation of trade agreements, the opportunities to do business and the
facilitation of trade routes have all been extremely helpful, where Ireland is
concerned in particular.
'It could make the EU more
united' Tudor Blaj, 43, tour operator in Romania: I have no idea what will
happen with Brexit - free movement of people is my main concern. I could have
fewer British clients, so it may get more difficult for me. About 60% of my
clients are British. UK membership of the EU and all the European construction
has been a good thing. The EU has meant European states getting together to
survive economic pressure from the US and China etc. Having a bigger market
helps us compete with those big powers. I don't think Brexit will lead to a
break-up of the EU. It could make the EU more united as they will examine what
made the UK leave. There was a lack of communication about the EU's goals.
'Nobody has ever left, it raises
fundamental questions' Birte Wassenberg, 52, professor in contemporary history,
Strasbourg: Brexit is a kind of revolution in what it means to be in the EU.
Nobody has ever left before, so this raises fundamental questions. It may get more difficult to invite British
academics to Strasbourg to talk. UK
membership has been good for Europe and the British were doing really well in
the EU. They were essential for the common defence policy - without them it's a
big problem. They helped the EU to develop real political power, not only
economic. A lot of French people are
glad that the British are leaving - they felt the British never really
belonged. But Germans really regret the UK leaving. Having witnessed the mess
of leaving the EU, others will be dissuaded from leaving too.
'I don't think the British will
abandon Dutch flowers' Edwin van Gils, 50, florist, the Netherlands: My
granddad was a florist, then my father, and now it's me running this company
exporting flowers to more than 1,000 supermarkets in the UK. We've been preparing for about a year and a
half. We're in contact with transport companies in the UK. It's like a
long-running soap opera that started in 2016 - now it's 2020 and nothing has
changed. We are not looking at other
markets. The UK is the market we know. We have a similar business sense and
sense of humour. In five or six years I think things will settle down. I don't
think the British will abandon Dutch flowers. A lot of countries that were
considering leaving now see how much work it is and what it will cost. When you
see the uncertainty in the UK you think twice.
^ This is the first time a member
country has left the European Union (or the European Community as it used to be
called.) It does raise many questions about the relationship between the EU
Government and the EU member states as well as between the different member
states themselves. Hopefully the EU will fix the many issues that currently
plague the organization and give more voice to the member states so that other
countries don’t decide to follow the UK and leave. ^
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