Michel Barnier Quotes

former Prime Minister of France (2024)

Michel Bernard Barnier (born 9 January 1951) is a French politician who currently served as Prime Minister of France. He was the European Commission's Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom (UK Task Force/UKTF) from 2019 to 2021. He previously served as Chief Negotiator, Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 TEU (Task Force 50/TF50) from October 2016 to November 2019. He has served in several French cabinet positions including Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from 2007 to 2009, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2005, Minister of State for European Affairs from 1995 to 1997 and minister of the environment and way of life from 1993 to 1995. He served at European level as European Commissioner for Regional Policy from 1999 to 2004 and European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services from 2010 to 2014. He served as vice president of the European People's Party (EPP) from 2010 to 2015. In August 2021, Barnier announced his candidacy for President of France in the 2022 French presidential election. He ran unsuccessfully for The Republicans' presidential nomination. He was appointed prime minister by Emmanuel Macron on 5 September 2024.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Alternative Names: Michel Jean Barnier

From Wikidata (CC0)

[A deal on the common travel area between the UK and Republic of Ireland must] respect both the integrity of the single market... and the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts

We intend to teach people what leaving the single market means

I have a state of mind - not aggressive... but I'm not naïve.

There are extremely serious consequences of leaving the single market and it hasn't been explained to the British people.

I'm not hearing any whistling, just the clock ticking.

We want EU citizens in Britain to have the same rights as British citizens who live in the EU

We must lift the uncertainty caused by Brexit

It's not about punishment, it is not about revenge. Basically, we are implementing the decision taken by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, and unravel 43 years of patiently-built relations. I will do all I can to put emotion to one side and stick to the facts, the figures, and the legal basis, and work with the United Kingdom to find an agreement in that frame of mind.

This negotiation will not only be financial, legal or technical - in my view, it will first [be] human and social and economic,

Nothing should put peace at risk

The UK's departure from the EU would have consequences

Being a member of EU comes with rights and benefits. Third countries (non members as the UK will be after Brexit) can never have the same rights and benefits since they are not subject to the same obligations. The single market and its four freedoms (which includes freedom of movement) are indivisible. Cherry picking is not an option.

Michel Barnier Quotes

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