By Sudip Kar-Gupta BRUSSELS, March 17 (Reuters) - The European Union would welcome Britain with "open arms" if it decided to return to the bloc's single market, French foreign minister Jean-Noel
French Minister States UK Would Be Welcomed Back to EU Single Market
French and EU Perspectives on UK Rejoining the Single Market
By Sudip Kar-Gupta
French Foreign Minister's Statement
BRUSSELS, March 17 (Reuters) - The European Union would welcome Britain with "open arms" if it decided to return to the bloc's single market, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday, as London pushes harder for a reset of relations with the EU.
Context of Barrot's Remarks
Barrot's comments, made at an event in Berlin alongside Germany's foreign minister, come after British finance minister Rachel Reeves said earlier on Tuesday that Britain was ready to align with many EU business rules to generate economic growth.
Discussion on Alignment and Customs Union
"Look at our British friends, the UK, who have been talking about reset, who are now talking about alignment, and some of whom mention the term customs unions," Barrot said.
"So let us say to our British friends that if they stand ready to come back to the single market, with all associated privileges and duties, they will be met with open arms," he added.
UK Government's Position on Brexit and the Single Market
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government has become increasingly vocal about the economic costs of Brexit, which was carried out by the previous Conservative administration in 2020 following a 2016 referendum.
Labour Government's Stance
However, it has ruled out rejoining the single market or entering a customs union.
(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta. Editing by Mark Potter)
