EU leaders set out hopes for post-Brexit relations with Britain
EU leaders have signalled their desire to reset relations with the UK, seven turbulent years on from the seismic Brexit vote.
Representatives from all 27 member states said on Monday that they wanted to “develop further ties between the EU and the UK” after a deal sealed on Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.
A little more than two months after the Windsor framework was agreed between Rishi Sunak and the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, they stressed the value of being “valuable partners with each other”.
In an article written for the Guardian to mark Europe Day on Tuesday, ambassadors and high commissioners of all the EU member states say: “Rediscovery of common interests and concerns have thus led to the Windsor framework and to a much welcome and necessary regain in trust in EU–UK relations.
“The task ahead is therefore to build on this re-engagement and to develop further the ties between the EU and the UK.
“A strong UK and a strong EU are valuable partners for each other. To our mutual advantage we have the solid relations between our societies, our business and academic communities, and the need to ensure they continue engaging with and enriching each other in a mutually profitable and respectful manner.”
The article is not specific about the ties, but talks about future security, and foreign policy arrangements could be high on the list of new partnership talks after the EU leaders praised the leading role the UK has played in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
A deal on science and satellite communications is already on the cards, with talks reopening recently on the UK’s participation in Horizon Europe, the EU’s €95.5bn (£83.3bn) science and research programme.
Fundamental issues such as a re-entry
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