Thread by @StevePeers

1/x Now published: Commission no deal Brexit paper; also proposals on visa waiver, energy efficiency, and a notice on travel europa.eu/rapid/press-re…

2/ Press release on the visa waiver proposal here, with a link to the text.

A few points:

- this concerns short term tourist visas for UK visitors staying 90/180 days
- visas for longer stays are governed by national law, with some EU harmonisation

europa.eu/rapid/press-re…

3/ - Visa waiver depends on reciprocity from the UK, but it's the UK government position to offer it

- this is separate from the border checks process and the likely application of EU law on travel authorisation to UK citizens (once that system is operating)

4/ - UK citizens resident in the EU27 States which fully apply Schengen can travel between Schengen States anyway on the basis of their residence permit or long-stay visa, *if they have one*

- folks who said there would definitely be visas for UK visitors should admit mistake

5/ Here's the press release on the energy efficiency proposal, with a link to the text. No text of the main communication or the travel notice yet AFAIK. europa.eu/rapid/press-re…

6/ For more details on the visa aspects and broader UK/EU migration issues, my earlier blog post: eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/12/beyond…

7/ Now online: the Commission notice on travel from the UK to the EU after Brexit: ec.europa.eu/info/sites/inf…
On borders, notes that border checks for non-EU citizens will apply to UK travellers, also in Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Croatia (as I said before, UK govt is wrong on this)

8/ Important point in a box: "Please note that UK national passports issued prior to the withdrawal date remain valid travel documents"

(Had a long discussion with someone who thought all UK passports would be invalid. As with visa waivers I'm now going to say I TOLD YOU SO)

9/ Also this notice has details on, for instance: customs controls on travellers; VAT and excise; pets; insurance; driving licences; travellers' consumer rights; roaming charges; and credit card fees.

No suggestion cards will be invalid (another nonsense claim which was made)

10/ The full Commission communication on a Brexit no deal has now been published: ec.europa.eu/transparency/r…
Annexes: ec.europa.eu/transparency/r…
Important details on @BritishInEurope and no deal plans on other issues
Some comments ->

11/ Commission gives the nod to state aid to address impact of no deal Brexit, and promises EU support for Ireland

12/ Commission criteria for no deal "contingency measures". Note:
- unilateral, ie no mini-deals with UK as such
- temporary, so finished by end 2019 in principle
- can't copy EU membership
- follows EU/national competences, but can't breach EU or international law

13/ On the position of @BritishInEurope and @The3Million

- welcomes UK commitment to unilateral guarantees, but where's the beef?
- UK citizens in the EU27 will need residence permits
- Member States should process such applications already

14/ Also time on territory by @BritishInEurope should count toward long-term residence under EU law. About that:
- falls far short of status under the withdrawal agreement
- no mention of parallel national long-term residence
- implication it's necessary for family reunion false

15/ Financial services

- some risks, but Commission will adopt measures if necessary

16/ Aviation: *not* a ban on flights, but:
- limited traffic rights
- temporary extension re aviation safety certificates
- both on condition of reciprocal unilateralism
- baggage screening fast track
- EU airline ownership rules apply

17/ Road transport: no extra permits for UK lorries

Customs/trade: EU tariffs and checks on goods apply, some facilitation is possible

- agricultural goods: simplified, but still some checks

18/ Personal data:
- *no adequacy decision* for UK
- data transfers can take place on other limited bases
- security implications not mentioned
- no mention of nonsense claim that "all EU data in UK must be destroyed"
- another "I TOLD YOU SO" moment there
- also climate policy

19/ Timing of the plans, plus warning against bilateral measures by Member States. Lots of exciting new EU external relations law issues if they ignore these warnings.

20/ What's missing?
Two obvious omissions; there may well be more
1 What to do as regards budget gap left by UK? (Mostly short term, as proposals assume no UK € after 2020, but still)
2 Nothing specific on Irish border issues: border checks apparent assumption but not explicit//