SIDEBAR EU Parliament head: No deal would be 'catastrophe' for Britain

Brussels (dpa) - The head of the European Parliament warned Britain on Wednesday that curtailing the rights of European citizens there, or refusing to meet its financial obligations, would make a preferential trade agreement with the EU impossible. "A no-deal scenario would be a catastrophe for all, but especially Britain," European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said."Britain would be faced with tariffs, uncertainty for the car industry and financial services, increased food prices, high traffic disruptions, long lines of lorries in Dover to name just a few," he said. Tajani was speaking after Prime Minister Theresa May formally triggered Britain‘s divorce proceedings with the European Union.May has previouly said that "no deal is better than a bad deal," threatening to crash out of the bloc should she not be able to negotiate a suitable free trade agreement with the EU. Tajani was outlining the parliament‘s priorities in the upcoming Brexit negotiations. Any final agreement with Britain will have to be approved by a qualified majority in the parliament. Tajani also said that maintaining an open border between both parts of Ireland was a key priority for the parliament."We have overcome many challenges however this is the first time a member state has decided to leave us. Today is not a good day for Europe. This is the starting point of difficult and complex negotiations." In reference to preferential trade access for Britain he said that "being a member cannot be the same thing as not being a member."