STRASBOURG, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 544 votes in favor, 126 against and 38 abstentions, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) overwhelmingly reaffirmed their support to the Withdrawal Agreement already signed by the European Union and the United Kingdom (UK).
The Withdrawal Agreement is fair, balanced and provides legal certainty, MEPs say in the resolution, reiterating the European Parliament's (EP) support for an "orderly Brexit."
MEPs confirm that they would be ready to return to the EU's original proposal for a Northern Ireland-only backstop, and they are also open to examining "alternative solutions" if they are legally and operationally credible and in line with the EU's guiding principles.
MEPs stress, however, that they will not consent to a Withdrawal Agreement without a backstop, and the UK would have to assume full responsibility for a "no-deal" exit and the serious consequences that this would entail.
The EP emphasizes that a "no-deal" scenario would not remove the UK's obligations and commitments on financial settlements, protection of citizens' rights, and compliance with the Good Friday Agreement (peace agreement between the British and Irish governments reached in 1998), which are necessary preconditions for the EP's approval of any future relationship between the EU and the UK.
The resolution also says the EP is open to a possible extension of the Article 50 negotiation period if requested by the UK, provided it is justified and has a specific purpose, such as avoiding a "no-deal" departure, holding general elections or a referendum, revoking Article 50, or approving the Withdrawal Agreement.
During the debate before the vote, the outgoing President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, told MEPs that the risk of a "no-deal" Brexit remains very real. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, strongly defended the backstop mechanism.
Under the backstop solution, a seamless border is to be maintained on the island of Ireland -- between the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state, and Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.
The EU has long maintained that the backstop must stay so as to ensure free movement and no hard border on the island of Ireland, which is central to the Good Friday Agreement that has guaranteed peace on the island.
The proponents of a hard Brexit, led by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, oppose the backstop, saying it would imply the maintenance of a tacit union with the EU. Some prefer to ditch this mechanism without an alternative.
If no alternative is agreed on, Britain risks leaving the EU without any deal. Johnson reiterated on Monday that Britain would leave the bloc on Oct. 31.
