Russian news website Life.ru reported that Britain began issueing passports without the words “European Union” on the cover. This claim turns out to be true.
This happens despite the fact that the country has not yet withdrawn from the EU – this was to be held on March 29. – Life.ru refers to in Guardian.
In turn, Guardian refers to the UK Home Office, which confirms changes in the design of a British passport: “Passports that include the words ‘European Union’ will continue to be issued for a short period after this date. You will not be able to choose whether you get a passport that includes the words ‘European Union’, or a passport that does not.
Life.ru continues: “Such a step is justified by the “most rational use of taxpayers’ funds”, for which many blanks have already been purchased. However, according to representatives of the ministry, the words on the cover are the only difference between the documents, the British will not have problems moving around the country and the world. It is also noted that this year the main document of the British will undergo another change – the color of the cover will change. The burgundy one for the EU will be replaced with dark blue, as it was in the country until 1988. Also, a number of technical innovations will be added that will make the document “the most technologically advanced in the world”.
P.S. While passports change, British Prime Minister Theresa May wrote a letter to the head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, with a request to postpone Brexit until June 30, said Euronews. May said that if agreement is reached before this date, the delay period will be shortened. “The government will want to establish a timeframe for ratifying the treaty, which will allow Britain to leave the EU before May 23, 2019 and cancel elections to the European Parliament. But we will continue to prepare responsibly for elections in case this framework is not established”, she wrote.
So, despite the fact, that there are no guarantees that Britain will leave the EU in the coming year, nevertheless, UK Home Office, on it’s website confirms information about the gradual “withdrawal from circulation” of “European” passports in Britain, so we conclude, that the information, published by Life.ru is true.
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Anastasia Bobrova, South Ural State University Chelyabinsk, RU
