No returns of illegal migrants, free movement for under 30s, NI to be EU’s forever, all UK fishing waters forever EU’s, and paying for EU’s defence

EU lays out its red lines for Starmer – we have yet to hear his robust rejection of all of them

Montage © Facts4EU.Org 2024

Leaked document lays bare EU’s totally unacceptable demands and shows it hasn’t changed

This leaked document from the EU Council has been been obtained by Facts4EU.Org - and now by most media organisations. It falls to us to summarise quickly and clearly why the EU’s demands are wholly unacceptable and should be robustly rejected by the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

In this report we look at what the EU’s document says in five key areas. We consider its implications for the newly independent United Kingdom, in the light of the UK Prime Minister’s avowed intention to seek ‘closer alignment’ with the EU. Nothing in this document surprised us, but it does at least make the EU’s thinking very clear.

This in turn means that Sir Keir Starmer can be questioned on the specifics of what it contains – and what his response is or will be.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org Summary

The leaked EU document

UK repatriation of EU's illegal boat and other migrants back to EU : Rejected
Free movement : For all under 30s, for education or other reasons
Northern Ireland : To remain part of the EU, under the ECJ
EU to have permanent access inside UK territorial waters
Defence : Contribution to EU Common Security & Defence Policy missions/operations, participation in PESCO
And much more…
PLUS: Agreement on things the UK might want - explicitly conditional on accepting some of the above first

[Source: EU Council text, 03 Dec 2024.]

Excerpts from the leaked document, plus link to the full memorandum

Below we quote from the EU’s document on the five key areas outlined above. Readers who wish to explore in more detail can do so by reading the EU Council’s ‘Memorandum’ in full here. (17-page PDF)

Credit: EU Council

1. UK 'repatriation' of EU's illegal boat and other migrants back to EU is rejected

“The discussion showed that while there was a general openness to consider ways to improve cooperation with the United Kingdom on tackling irregular migration, moving towards an agreement on readmission would be unacceptable for many Member States.”

ALL of the 140,000 illegal boat migrants who have been escorted to the UK’s waters by the French Navy since 2018 have come from the safe EU countries of France and a small number from Belgium. Despite this, the EU refuses to discuss the UK’s repatriation of these illegals even though the EU has similar agreements with other countries.

2. Free movement for all under 30s, for educational or other reasons

“Such an agreement would offer new mobility opportunities for young persons between 18 and 30 years for a limited period of time [per person – Ed.], and would address key impediments of student mobility.”
“…Erasmus+, the culture strand of Creative Europe, the European Solidarity Corps and Horizon Europe. Since the United Kingdom has opted to participate only in Horizon Europe there are further options to consider and exploit. Member States would welcome the UK’s participation in these programmes, especially in Erasmus+.”

Separately the EU has made it clear that the free movement of the under 30s is a pre-requisite for agreement on what the UK wants on other matters. They want this free movement for all under 30s, not just those on the Erasmus+ programme.

Erasmus+ is NOT a only student exchange programme, as we have previously shown. In fact very little of it relates to students. Secondly, almost all the traffic was one-way: from the EU to the UK. British students and young people barely used it. Their British teachers and lecturers, by contrast, used it a great deal. Finally, it is hugely expensive and the UK would be expected to pay an exorbitant amount for membership, despite barely benefiting at all.

3. Northern Ireland to remain part of the EU, under EU laws and under the EU Court of Justice

“Member States follow with particularly close attention the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement regarding citizens’ rights and the Windsor Framework [by Rishi Sunak – Ed.], where solving outstanding implementation deficiencies require significant further efforts from the United Kingdom.”
“The discussion showed that Member States are open to considering an agreement with the United Kingdom in respect of Great Britain that would remove the SPS border between Great Britain and the Union on condition that there is full alignment to the Union acquis, and the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union is preserved for the interpretation of Union law. Certain measures in this area will require immediate alignment. The Union should not be ready to negotiate an SPS agreement based on the equivalence of legislations.”
“An agreement on SPS would also need to cover a financial contribution of the United Kingdom”

Jim Allister KC MP, Leader of the TUV, commented on our report

"It is clear the ever-aggressive EU is determined not only to copper-fasten its sovereignty grab over Northern Ireland, but now wishes to entrap GB into fuller alignment through an SPS deal, which, most notably, is anticipated as solely with GB, not the UK, as it already has full control in NI of SPS issues. And, of course, on the basis of further financial contribution.
It's time for the UK government to rediscover its dignity and take back control over all of its own territory, rather than compliantly surrendering more control to Brussels."
- Jim Allister KC MP, Leader of the TUV, speaking to Facts4EU, 17 Dec 2024

Currently Northern Ireland lives under EU laws over which neither its people nor its politicians have any say. The province is slowly being cut off from mainland GB and its place within the United Kingdom is under serious threat. We have shown on numerous occasions why the EU’s argument that the NI Protocol and Windsor Framework are needed to preserve the peace is a complete fiction. There is an alternative and it has been there for all to see for many years now.

4. Permanent EU access inside UK territorial waters

“… the maintenance of the status quo, as reflected in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, beyond 30 June 2026, >b>is essential for Member States… Long term commitments on access to waters is seen as key to provide the necessary certainty and predictability.”
“It was also emphasised that a reset between the Union and the United Kingdom is only credible if it is based on an early understanding on this between the Parties. This is needed for the facilitation of discussions on the other aspects under consideration.”

So, the EU insist on their permanent right to enter and fish in UK territorial waters. Furthermore, without this they will not discuss other issues of importance to the UK.

5. The EU wants binding commitments to suck the UK into its Common Security & Defence structures

“Many potential areas of cooperation were mentioned, e.g. contribution to EU CSDP missions/operations, participation in PESCO, tackling cyber and hybrid threats, including foreign information manipulation and interference, cooperation in the field of defence, counterterrorism, maritime security, sanctions and consular cooperation.”
“While the interests expressed by Member States extended to areas requiring binding commitments, the conclusion of a Security and Defence Partnership was seen as an option.”

In essence, the EU wants three things : the UK’s defence capabilities, the UK’s money, and the UK’s superb intelligence services. It doesn’t only want these, it needs them. It is already pulling the UK into its Permanent Structured Cooperation organisation, thanks to Rejoiner civil servants in the MoD agreeing to this.

Next it wants a ‘Security and Defence Partnership’, leading to “binding commitments”. This is the classic EU way. Start with something sounding innocuous and then when no-one is looking, introduce a new Treaty with binding commitments.

Observations

An EU leopard doesn’t change its gold stars. After years of reading or listening to the hostile words of the EU in every document or speech pertaining to the decision of the British people to leave the European Union, we see no change in the attitude of the EU within this document that we have examined.

They continue to demand far more than they would of any other ‘third country’ and they refuse to adopt a conciliatory approach. Most of their demands simply do not bear scrutiny and most definitely do not stand up to any test of reasonableness. Frankly, their conduct towards the United Kingdom has been – and continues to be – shameful, in our opinion.

Particularly irksome is their continued insistence that they will not discuss anything until their initial demands have been met. The answer to this is simple. The UK should expose their techniques to the world and say that we will not be blackmailed or threatened into accepting the EU’s unreasonable demands before all the other issues can be discussed.

Theresa May and her team of collaborationist, anti-Brexit civil servants simply followed the EU’s demands meekly, and this is mostly why we are where we are today. We would like to think our new Prime Minister would stand up to this evil empire in Brussels, but we are not holding our breath. What all of us can do is to call the EU out loudly and clearly. The Facts4EU team are continuing to do this and we hope that readers will also be robust, and will write to their MPs accordingly.

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[ Sources: EU Council | Facts4EU files | Jim Allister KC MP ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org, Tues 17 Dec 2024

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Reader Comments 28

1. LuxuryBalloon , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 07:24:

The EU needs us much more than we need them.

2. Sparky , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 07:47:

Regarding refuges, from FullFact in 2020, “The UN Refugee Convention does not make this requirement of refugees, and UK case law supports this interpretation. Refugees can legitimately make a claim for asylum in the UK after passing through other “safe” countries”.
.
If you don’t appreciate how sensitive the divisions are in Northern Ireland and why the NI Protocol and Windsor Framework have been reached watch Simon Reeves tour of Ireland on BBC iplayer, filmed in 2015. The division that existed then, one year before the ref and still exists is startling. And dismissed or ignored by Brexit.

3. Sparky , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 09:27:

Why is the Govt having discussions with the EU.
.
A quote from the recently retired founder of Cobra beer in Forbes Magazine. “Before the Brexit vote, we were a magnet for inward investment,” We were a gateway to the EU. Many foreign companies - including from India - would set up HQs in the UK as a gateway to Europe. We have eroded our investment. Brexit has damaged our attractiveness as a magnet for inward investment.”
It has also hit trade. Around 40 per cent of British exports go to EU countries, which also account for 50% of imports. However, small businesses in particular have struggled with the extra paperwork and costs associated with Britain’s new status as a “third country.”

4. Have You Wondered , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 09:59:

.
Sparky.
Orwell (allegedly) "All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but once the fraud is exposed they must rely exclusively on force." and that is where the UK and EU are heading.
.
The bottom line will always be: Why does the UK (or any other nation) need another level of corruption and malfeasance above that which the UK has already?
.

5. Sparky , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 10:21:

4 HYW. A rhetorical question. Have a look at wikipedia, "list of political scandals in the United Kingdom". We've got plenty that have nothing to do with the EU. There isn't an equivalent page for EU scandals!

6. NH , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 10:38:

3. Sparky, "quote from the recently retired founder of Cobra beer"
Instead of resorting to your usual tactic of quoting remainers, who usually are just interested in cheap labour for their own businesses, why don't you look at the post Brexit independent facts:
.
The UK Moved from being the world's 7th largest exporter to being the 4th largest.
The UK became the world's 2nd largest exporter of services.
The UK overtook China to become the world's 2nd highest destination for FDI (foreign direct investment).
The UK attracted more Greenfield FDI than Germany and France combined.
The UK overtook India to become the world's 3rd largest market for Venture Capital Investment.
.
The EU claim that "Brexit UK is a disaster" so why are their young people so keen to come to the UK when they can go to any EU country ?
At the same time as requesting free movement the EU has just taken the UK to the European Court of Justice over previous free movement issues in 2020. Is this the behaviour of a friendly partner ?

7. NH , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 10:45:

5. Sparky, "There isn't an equivalent page for EU scandals!"
Why don't you look at the EU's own figures ?
.
They claim 2800 Investigations into fraudulent behaviour.

8. Have You Wondered , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 12:05:

.
Sparky 5. Well here's a snippet page from my library on EU corruption, regetfully I have edit the sources but look up the headlines.:
.
A must read.
" the european parliament a deeply troubled institution"
In October, the body complained that there were “material and pervasive” errors in the EU’s 240 billion euro budget in 2023.
"Despite this, the European Parliament has not once refused to sign off the EU’s budget." Marta Andreasen - surfaces again 20yrs later ( Search: (Hansard) HC Deb 21 June 2005 vol 436 cc1061-2 and her book 'Brussels Laid Bare' ISBN: 9780955418815
" former eu justice commissioner didier reynders home searched belgian police investigation"
Two days after leaving office !
.
"EU Commission maintains innocence despite losing Tunisia transparency case"
eu watchdog blasts von der leyens freebie greek holiday ahead of key re election vote
.
" alleged e3 5 million fraud in austria of eu recovery funds says european prosecutors office"
"On October 10, in its annual report, the EPPO also claimed that an increasing amount of money from the €240 billion European Union budget was being spent in “irregular ways”. "
.
"think tank accuses eu of undermining rule of law "
.
Pfizer scandal.
After years of denying the texts existed:
.
" pfizergate von der leyen under pressure over covid 19 vaccine texts"
"The Commission, criticised for a lack of transparency, maintained since 2022 that the messages were not kept. "
politico. eu article ursula von der leyen eu commission shirks public responsibility pfizergate texts albert bourla court hearing new york times
politico. eu article ursula von der leyen eu commission shirks public responsibility pfizergate texts albert bourla court hearing new york times
"Judges showed signs of annoyance as the Commission repeatedly failed to explain how it decided what is important or not. "
So the judges said 'ok' and walked away!
.
Continued.

9. Have You Wondered , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 12:16:

.
Sparky 5 Continued.
.
"According to the report disclosed on November 19 and written by a team of 20 researchers from 10 countries, the EU institutions do not adhere to the principles of the Lisbon Treaty and previous treaties."
.
"ec illegally targeted adverts at citizens using sensitive personal data watchdog finds"
.
politico. eu newsletter brussels playbook america decides europe sweats
OLAF, has opened an investigation into a loophole allowing countries like Turkey to export sanctioned Russian oil to the bloc under a different label...
.
" environment 2024 nov 03 revealed billionaires ultimate beneficiaries linked to eu farming subsidies"
"But strict privacy rules, weak transparency requirements and complex chains of company ownership mean little scrutiny has been possible of who gets the money. "
.
" eu affairs 1294643 corruption investigation opened into a senior eu official"
"However, neither the European Public Prosecutor's Office nor the Belgian criminal justice system... were contacted by the Commission........."
.
" eu affairs 1286502 eu auditors highlight double funding as a blind spot in eus recovery fund"
"“Double funding is a misuse of EU funds....... " Fraud?
.
Read these two together.
" eu 2024 10 auditors scold eu spiralling error rate in spending and eu debt of e458 5 billion"
According to the ECA,...... meaning that €10.7 billion of European taxpayer money was spent in ways that did not comply with the rules and conditions.
YET THE EU SIGN IT OFF AS CORRECT !
" eu affairs 1263242 increase in irregular eu spending will the parliament grant discharge to the commission"
"The European Court of Auditors (ECA) have signed off the 2023 EU accounts as giving a true and fair view of the union’s financial position but found that the errors in spending from the EU budget increased significantly in 2023 " Read: Marta Andreasen's book 'Brussels Laid Bare'
.
Sparky - take your blinkers off ! More on request.
.

10. NH , Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 12:43:

3. 5. Sparky, "Scandals and Cobra Beer"
Your "Pro-EU reference" Dissolved Cobra Beer in 2009 and set up a similar sounding company almost the same day leaving creditors with £75 million of unpaid debts.

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