UNITED KINGDOM
UK Public Servants have been instructed by the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) not to attend EU meetings.
The Department said exceptions would be made only where the UK had a significant national interest in the outcome of discussions, such as on security.
DExEU said the move, which dated from 1 September, was not intended in any way to frustrate the functioning of the EU but would enable PS staff to focus on the UK’s future relationship with the EU and other partners around the world.
“This decision reflects the fact that the UK’s exit from the EU [Brexit] on 31 October is now very close and many of the discussions in EU meetings will be about the future of the Union after the UK has left,” DExEU said.
“The move will reduce the number of meetings UK Civil Servants and Ministers attend by over half.”
DExEU Secretary, Steve Barclay said an incredible amount of time and effort went into EU meetings, with attendance just the tip of the iceberg.
“Our diligent, world-class officials also spend many hours preparing for them whether in reading the necessary papers or working on briefings,” Mr Barclay said.
“The move will save hundreds of hours, which officials will be able to put towards preparing for Brexit.”
The announcement appears to follow through on a promise by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to pull PS staff out of Brussels to concentrate on Brexit preparations.
Mr Johnson also said the UK would “under no circumstances” nominate a Commissioner to the European Commission to take office on 1 December.
Responding to the announcement, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government, Gorgina Wright said skipping the meetings could mean the UK would lose insider knowledge that might be useful later in the Brexit negotiations.
“Once the UK is outside of the EU, it will be harder for British diplomats to get those in the room to tell them what is being discussed,” Ms Wright said.
“Bringing an abrupt end to that access won’t make relationship-building any easier.”
London, 23 August 2019
