EU Chief BREXIT Negotiator Barnier to "Eurofora": -I Think we'll reach a Deal Before 2019 Election

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Despite recent concerns by some that Bumpy EU - UK Negotiations on BREXIT might drag their feet Longer than a March 2019 Time Deadline, nevertheless, EU's Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, Replying to a Question raised by "Eurofora", Today in EU Parliament in Strasbourg, expressed his clear Belief that a Deal "Will be Reached on Time".

His BREXIT statements were followed, later this Evening, also by other, Relevant statements made here by Parliament's President Antonio Tajani, (See Infra/UPDATED).

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 - "Eurofora" had Asked Barnier if an EU - UK Deal on BREXIT might be really reached adequately Before the Next European Elections (scheduled for May 2019), in view of which, EU Citizens are due to Debate and Vote on some very Crucial topical Issues on Europe's foreseable Future.

 - "Normaly, Yes !", was Michel Barnier's 1st, spontaneously Positive Reaction.

 + But, when "Eurofora" asked to make it Crystal-Clear if he Believed Today that it was Really Feasible to do so, or not, he became More Specific :

 - "I Think that We Shall Do it !", EU's Chief Negotiator added in reply, affirmatively.

Michel Barnier is particularly Well-Placed in order to Appreciate the current Chances for doing so, since he Personally Combines a Rare Threefold relevant Experience : Both at EU-level, as twice former EU Commissioner, as well as Top MEP in EU Parliament, and at a Key National Goverment level, as many times Minister in France (for Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Environment etc), but also at a Specific EU Elections' level, as f. Coordinator of the Biggest PanEuropean Political Party, that of Center-Right's ChristianDemocrats/EPP for the Preparation of the Latest European Elections of 2014.

(Comp., f.ex., various Barnier Statements to "Eurofora"'s co-Founder, at Many Different Occasions in the Past, f.ex., among others, also at ... + ..., etc).

+ He also revealed, earlier, that "Recently", he "Feel(s) that the Negotiations are Working More Seriously", contrary to a previous Pessimism.

++ Concerning the Possibility to eventually agree an Extension for a "Transitional Period", Beyong the 29 March 2019 Time Deadline, Barnier, while Not Exluding that, a priori, however Sharply reacted, previously, by Pointing out that, as a matter of General Principle, such "Transitions have to be Short !"

Meanwhile, "Eurofora" was told also by EU-experienced French, independent but Insider sources, that, regardless if there might, perhaps, be the slightest Legal hypothesis for eventual "Transition" periods on any Substantial Issue, or not, Neverheless, there would "Not" be, at all, "Any Political Will" (from the EU Side) to do so.

+ Barnier, speaking to an Exceptionaly Overcrowded PanEuropa (EPP) Meeting in EU Parliament, earlier Today, attended by Many Important MEPs, where "Eurofora" was Invited, revealed the Personal but Interesting Fact that, when he Voted "for the 1st Time in (his) Life", it was, Back on the early 1970ies, in a Popular "Referendum" FOR the Acceptance of UK's Accession, as Full Member, into the EU...

Brittish Prime Minister, Theresa May, has reportedly been Invited and accepted to Speak and Debate about BREXIT prospects also in EU Parliament, but its BREXIT-Coordinator, Liberal Group's President and former Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, just asked from May to extend her agreement for Debate also to Other MEPs,  and not only with Political Groups' Presidents.

EU Parliament's President, Antonio Tajani from Italy, (an Experienced, former Twice EU Commissioner, Foreign Minister, as well as f. EU Parliament's vice-President), speaking, Later-on Today in Strasbourg, reminded that MEPs (who Must Vote on any EU - UK Deal on "BREXIT") had mainly "3 Concerns" : About EU (and UK) Citizens residing at each other's area, about the Borders to Ireland, and on UK's Financial obligations.

However, it's Certain that we shall have also to Find a Way to Associate the UK with the EU for the Future, because there still are a lot of areas in which We must Cooperate in Europe, (f.ex. on Security, Trade, Science-Technology, etc), he added.

Tajani also made it Clear that "EU Parliament intends to Closely Follow the EU - UK Negotiations on BREXIT right from October" 2017.

At least from that point of view too, ... Time seems to be Short, since EU Parliament exceptionaly holds 2 next Plenary Sessions in Strasbourg during October 2017, the First Starting as Soon as, already, from Next Month's Day 2..