Brussels, 17 March 2025
“Check against delivery”
Honourable Chair Gozi, dear Sandro,
Honourable Chair de Cordova, dear Marsha,
Right Honourable Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, dear Nick,
Distinguished Members.
I am delighted to be here with you today for the fifth meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.
Before I go any further, allow me to take this opportunity first of all to wish all our Irish friends here today a happy Saint Patrick’s Day.
This is the first meeting of the PPA since the new EU and UK delegations were established. It comes at an important time as we prepare for the first EU-UK Summit on 19 May. I am therefore looking forward to our exchange today and hearing your perspectives.
I propose to divide my intervention today into two parts:
- First, I would like to reflect and update you on the state of play of EU-UK relations
- Second, I would like to discuss the future prospects for enhancing EU-UK cooperation
First – the state of play of EU-UK relations.
The EU and the UK are like-minded partners. We have been working closely together on shared challenges, notably in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
We are living in uncertain times and in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. In this context, it is all the more important that we continue to work closely together.
The EU-UK relationship is based on two agreements: the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
These agreements are the cornerstone of our bilateral relations.
The full and faithful implementation of these agreements is crucial for the development of structured strategic cooperation between the EU and the UK.
As regards the Withdrawal Agreement, citizens’ rights remain a top priority for the EU.
With 5.7 million EU citizens living in the UK and 1 million UK nationals living in the EU, there is a shared interest in making sure that the Withdrawal Agreement works for everyone.
A lot has been done, and a lot remains to be done in this area too. The EU will always insist that beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are able to enjoy their rights. I am glad that we are making progress on the true and extra cohort issue and I want to thank Nick for his efforts.
In parallel, we will also continue to work closely with Member States to make sure that the citizens’ rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement is implemented in full in the EU and address any issues that may arise regarding UK nationals.
On the Windsor Framework, looking back to where we were two years ago, we can be proud about how much progress we have made. On VAT and excise, State Aid, SPS, TRQs arrangements for steel and meats, medicines, customs, and engagement with Northern Ireland businesses and civic groups. The list is long and I am grateful for every element.
The Windsor Framework relies on a careful balance of flexibilities and safeguards. More work is needed to ensure full delivery of all the safeguards, especially in the operation of the agri-foods/SPS and customs arrangements. We should keep up our efforts to deliver the full implementation of the Windsor Framework. We want to deliver benefits for people and businesses in Northern Ireland, while protecting the integrity of the EU Single Market and avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Turning to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the TCA, let me make a few important points.
- The TCA is the most ambitious Free Trade Agreement the EU has concluded with any third country.
- It provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on all goods and cooperation in a wide range of areas, from trade and energy to social security coordination, fisheries and law enforcement and judicial cooperation, underpinned by strong level playing field provisions and a robust dispute-settlement procedure.
- As a result, 35 formal meetings of the joint bodies established by the TCA to implement the agreement take place each year. This is more than with any other third country.
- The agreement has been in force for a little more than four years now and its implementation has been generally smooth, with only a few exceptions.
It is clear that the TCA is not, and can never be, a substitute for UK membership of the EU. The TCA is a structural response to the red lines set by the UK during the negotiations. These red lines have remained in place today: no Single Market, no Customs Union, no Free Movement of Persons.
It is also true, however, that the TCA has much potential still to be exploited. We are committed to making the most of the TCA and building upon it as we advance our relations with the UK.
Let me also say a few words on prospects for further EU-UK cooperation.
The UK Government, in power since July last year, has indicated its ambition to strengthen EU-UK relations, although it has also reconfirmed the UK’s red lines that I mentioned earlier.
For our part, we are committed to strengthening the relationship between the EU and the UK. Our shared values and global challenges provide a solid foundation for a stable, positive, and forward-looking relationship, which is in our mutual interest and essential for long-term cooperation.
President von der Leyen outlined in her political guidelines for the new European Commission the ambition to strengthen relations with the UK on issues of shared interest.
On 2 October last year, President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Starmer met and agreed to work towards enhancing strategic cooperation between the EU and the UK.
For our part, we see three broad priority areas for enhancing strategic cooperation with the UK:
- The first area is security and resilience, with deeper and more structured cooperation between the EU and the UK as close partners and like-minded allies. This is necessary in the face of unprecedented geopolitical challenges in our neighbourhood;
- The second area is people-to-people contacts, which should include rebuilding bridges for our young people to live, study and work on the other side of the Channel;
- The third area is the protection of our planet and its resources. We aim to consolidate and advance cooperation on sustainable fisheries, climate, and energy and SPS issues. And we seek to fully exploit the potential of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, including in deepening cooperation on security of supply and implementing electricity trading arrangements.
The EU-UK Summit will take place on 19 May in the UK. We see this as an opportunity to take the agenda forward and strengthen our joint agenda.
I look forward to hearing your views and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Source – EU Commission