What did Teresa May write about brexite in her letter to Tusk?

Epistolary genre in our technological age is not very popular. And ordinary citizens, and prominent politicians, and state leaders increasingly prefer to communicate through electronic means of communication and information. However, the head of the British government, trying to clarify the position of his country during the period of brexite, preferred to send the most ordinary letter to the chairman of the European Union Donald Tusk - in an envelope and printed on paper. There was it on March, 29th. The content of the message is not a secret, it is carefully analyzed by different experts. Tusk called this day "not very good." Some moments attract special attention.

What is the letter and for whom it is written?

The envelope at half past twelve pm on March 29 was handed over to Tusk by Sir Tim Barrow, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the EU. If anyone had any hopes that London would change its mind at the last moment to leave the European Union, then May's letter finally dispelled them. The main purpose of the message is to notify the EU of the commencement of the procedure for brexite on the basis of the 50th article of the Lisbon Treaty. The sending of the document was preceded by a great work in the parliament, as a result of which in early March a law was passed that gave the Cabinet the right to begin the process of the country's withdrawal from the EU. The process itself can take two years, and if necessary, this period is subject to extension. On March 28, Teresa May held telephone conversations with German Chancellor Merkel, European Commission Chairman Juncker and Donald Tusk, who presides over the European Union. A plan of brixite consisting of approximately seven hundred points has been drawn up. Thus, it can be concluded that the letter of May does not contain any new information for EU leaders, but is a short digest of what they already know. It is intended mainly for the media. What can be understood from it?

Intonation

The art of writing such texts is to correctly convey the mood of the document, without resorting to the techniques characteristic of verbal speech. Between the stingy and correct lines of the diplomatic message, the addressee must read, depending on the circumstances, a fierce protest, a direct threat, a promise of support or sincere (as far as possible among politicians) benevolence. Theresa May's letter is sustained in a demonstratively friendly manner, expressing the hope for "constructive and respectful" sincere cooperation. The abundance of such epithets should testify to the absence of aggressive intentions and the desire for good-neighborliness. The tone is positive, there is a call for joint work, mutual compromises and Britain's readiness for them, but it does not exclude the rigidity possible in the negotiation process.

About the sequence of actions

Between the positions of May and Michel Barnier, appointed chief negotiator from the European Commission, there is a difference of opinion on the issues of the technology of brixite. In the EU, they believe that the conditions for Britain's withdrawal from the EU should be agreed first, and then future trade agreements can be discussed. Such a sequence, according to Brussels, will save the negotiations from unnecessary fuss and increase the chances of a successful outcome. In the letter, May is presented a fundamentally different approach, it consists in the desire to consider both aspects simultaneously. Realizing brexite, the British side should immediately understand its conditions and, if necessary, defend its interests. It is still unknown how Barnier will react to such an idea. Perhaps, it will become an occasion for the first conflict in the negotiation process.

And if not?

Therese May in his letter admits the possibility of brixite and without reaching mutually beneficial trade agreements. It's okay, in this case, the United Kingdom will act as the WTO rules. In the end, according to the prime minister himself (speech in the Lancaster House), it's better to let the transaction not be completely than it turns out to be bad. However, with such an unfavorable development of events, the possibilities of joint struggle against crime and terrorism are significantly reduced. In the letter, May did not repeat these arguments, but merely expressed her hope for a "deep and special partnership with the EU." Clever guess what she meant, especially if she knows what was said about this earlier.

About people

Brexit touched upon not only interstate political and economic relations, but also the fate of many ordinary citizens. Prior to breksit, any resident of a country in the EU could come to Britain and feel at home - work, study, do business and anything else, if not violated the law, of course. These people are now experiencing a natural worry, not knowing how the exit of Britain from the European Union will affect their legal status. In her letter, May shares this concern and expresses her readiness to discuss the problem at the earliest stage of the negotiations. The lady of the Prime Minister is demanded that she guarantee to Europeans the preservation of their rights, and unilaterally, but, not knowing the position of the EU in this matter in relation to the British, she so far abstains. The supposed meaning of the message is that if it can be agreed, then no one will suffer, and everything will remain almost the same. Although the question is complicated.

Gradually and carefully

The letter mentions a certain "period of implementation," that is, the time necessary for a smooth transition from the state of Britain's membership in the EU to the partnership relations of two independent entities. If the changes happen too abruptly, this will lead to a huge number of unnecessary failures. The two years allocated for the completion of brixite may not be enough, and it is not necessary to immediately cut off all ties between the UK and the EU when this time is over. How much such a transition period can drag on, May did not tire.

Financial questions

In the recent past, when the passion for brexite was still boiling, claims were voiced on both sides about debts that were allegedly liable to collection. The European Union called the amount of a fine of sixty billion euros for damages caused by Britain as a result of her departure. The conservative conservative Peter Bone asked the EU to return as much as £ 184 billion in contributions paid since 1973, that is, for the entire period of the United Kingdom's membership in European structures. Maya did not remember about all this in her letter, but proposed to conclude a free trade agreement, beneficial to both parties, unprecedented in history in terms of scope and ambition. Details are left behind the lines, and even the customs union is not mentioned. This is the details.

Not a word about migrants

One of the most important incentives that prompted the British to vote for brexite was the issue of refugees, and May included it in a dozen of the most important problems. It is all the more surprising that in the letter to Tusk nothing is said about this at all. Yes, the prime minister mentioned freedom of movement within the single market, but without binding on the commitments on receiving migrants. At the same time, this condition is given paramount importance by the EU, and even ultimately proposes to observe the previously adopted rules, without which membership in the general economic space is impossible. A demonstrative disregard for the existence of a problem can be treated in two ways: either May believes that the issue is closed definitively and is not even subject to discussion, or, on the contrary, it is ready for some compromises with the EU and does not show any stiffness any more. In both cases, there is nothing to argue about.

The letter turned out to be very streamlined in form, it creates room for maneuver. It will be very interesting to follow the upcoming talks.