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Politics
Jun 18, 2026
Analyzed by Llama- 4 Scout 17B 16E Instruct

UK could regain special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoins EU, says Michel Barnier

AI Summary
Michel Barnier, the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator, has stated that the UK could regain its special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoins the EU. He believes that the UK could keep the pound and remain outside the passport-free Schengen travel area.

Michel Barnier's Proposal for UK Rejoining EU

Michel Barnier, the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator, has suggested that the UK could regain its special terms if it rejoins the EU. In an interview, he claimed that it is becoming clearer to the British people that they would be stronger in Europe.

The Possibility of Opt-outs

Barnier mentioned that there are precedents for opt-outs in the EU, citing countries that have not joined the euro or the Schengen area. He stated, "I am speaking about Schengen, I am speaking about the single currency: there are other member states who are not in them. It is perfectly possible to have opt-outs in these fields."

Precedents for Opt-outs

  • Five of the 13 countries that have joined the EU since 2004 are yet to join the single currency.
  • Ireland is the only EU member state with an official opt-out from the Schengen passport-free travel area.

Impact on UK-EU Relations

Barnier's comments may boost the campaign for the UK to rejoin the EU, as polling shows that support for rejoining is stronger when the old terms are on the table. He also expressed his conviction that the UK had made the wrong choice in leaving the EU and that the evidence for that is becoming clearer "every day".

Future Outlook

Barnier predicted that the British people will increasingly see the benefits of being in the EU, stating, "Every day it will be more clear" that it is better to be part of the EU. He also proposed the creation of a new European Council for Defence and Security, which would include the UK, Ukraine, and Norway.