Photo by Rocco Dipoppa on Unsplash
MEPs have broadly welcomed a new set of agreements thrashed out at an EU/UK summit in London on Monday.
The summit, attended by, among others, two EU leaders and the UK PM, aims to strike a re-set in post-Brexit relations between the two.
It was attended by Sir Keir Starmer, Ursula von der Leyen, the EC chief, and EU council president Antonio Costa.
Among the measures agreed was a new joint defence and security partnership.
ECR MEP Francesco Torselli said this demonstrates what’s possible when we look beyond the past and embrace a future focused on close cooperation and delivery.
Torselli, the ECR Group’s lead on the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, welcomed the accord as a sign of cross-Channel determination to confront the growing list of common challenges but also opportunities.
Torselli told this site, “We haven’t changed our position regretting the UK’s departure from the EU, but we understand the political constraints that successive governments in London have faced.”
“We’ve always insisted that there’s plenty of space to expand and intensify cooperation if the political will is there.
“The bilateral relationship clearly needs a solid structure that takes us beyond ad hoc measures, and that’s what this accord provides.
“The UK’s military, its intelligence services and its global reach are vital assets to strengthen our common European security in the light of the threats we face, especially because of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Torselli further commented on decisions taken to beef up the substance of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
“The ECR welcomes steps to elaborate the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Through a renewed spirit of constructive engagement, I am confident we can better deliver together for our citizens in various policy areas.”
“Notably, the fight against illegal migration is one of many areas where cooperation is not only beneficial but essential – just as much for the UK as for the EU.
“A new youth mobility scheme combined with efforts to encourage the UK to re-join Erasmus+ will help to address some of the opportunities that Brexit curtailed, and we are fully supportive.”
Both Costa and von der Leyen said the summit marked a new chapter in EU-UK relations.
The inaugural EU-UK leaders’ meeting. the EU said in a statement, confirms a shared commitment to stronger collaboration and mutual understanding in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
In his comments, Costa was reminded of what Starmer’s stated ambition to reset the relationship between the UK and EU.
Costa added, “I am proud to say — we, together, have delivered on that ambition. We all succeeded.”
The agreements reached on Monday, “mark not just progress but a new chapter in the relationship between the UK and the EU.”
