Foreign Minister: Slovakia prepared for all Brexit alternatives

Slovakia is ready for all Brexit alternatives; however, Slovak citizens living in the United Kingdom should register themselves in the EU citizens' residence scheme as soon as possible. Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák (a Smer-SD nominee) met with the inter-departmental steering committee for Brexit preparations on Wednesday. According to Lajčák, only some 35,000 of the estimated number of 100,000 Slovaks residing in the UK have made use of this possibility up to now. This scheme guarantees EU citizens the possibility of staying in the UK with all the rights they have had so far. In addition, Slovak citizens should check the validity of their passports and identity cards. Similarly, all British citizens should arrange the necessary documents for obtaining permanent or temporary residence in Slovakia. The minister stressed that entrepreneurs trading with Britain must prepare themselves for changes and familiarise themselves with new terms for the transport of goods. "If the Brexit deal is achieved, the status quo will be preserved until the end of 2020, as Great Britain will remain a part of the internal market and Brexit impacts should be thus minimal," stated Lajčák. According to him, changes will only come with a new agreement between the EU and Britain, details of which are not known at the moment. "It is assumed to be tariff-free and quota-free trade, but with customs and regulatory procedures," said the minister. Lajčák stated that Britain would highly probably leave the EU with an agreement, adding that the risk of no-deal Brexit is small.