Brussels: The European Commission warned on Wednesday that Britain will have to pay its outstanding share of the existing EU budget even if it leaves the union without a withdrawal agreement. In a statement on preparations for Britain’s departure, Brussels said it would not enter talks on future trade till London honours “the financial obligations the UK has made as a member state”. Under the Brexit withdrawal deal agreed last year between outgoing British PM Theresa May and her fellow EU leaders, Britain would owe the union nearly £39 billion.
This sum would cover budget commitments up through a transition period at the end of next year, but the British Parliament has refused to ratify the treaty and Brexit has been delayed till October 31. May is due to step down and some challengers to replace her, including frontrunner ex-foreign minister Boris Johnson, have said they are ready to leave Europe without a deal on that date. It would mean, the EU statement said, there would be no transition period next year, which officials estimate would save Britain 12 billion euros on the bill, but the balance would be outstanding. Meanwhile, British Oppn lawmakers failed in their bid to ensure the UK can’t leave the EU without a divorce deal. The House of Commons voted 309-298 against setting aside a day later this month to try to pass legislation that would prevent a no-deal Brexit.
