In 2016, the Italian Embassy in London estimated that 600,000 Italians were resident in the United Kingdom. As EU leaders unanimously agreed tough negotiating guidelines for Brexit talks with the UK, the Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni reiterated his vow to safeguard Italians in a post-Brexit Britain as well as Britons in Italy.
“Among the priorities of the negotiation is the destiny of citizens of various European countries residing in the United Kingdom. We have the duty and right to demand certain safeguards and administrative rights for our compatriots, which are applicable immediately, non-discriminatory and based on the principle of reciprocity [with Britons resident in Italy].”
Gentiloni also commented that his government would encourage the transfer to Milan of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) when it moves from London. The EMA, which controls pharmaceuticals standards and norms across Europe, has been in London for 20 years.
