Today marks one more important step for the future of EU-UK relations; talks on the Irish Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland are scheduled in Brussels. They take place amid a backdrop of tensions in Northern Ireland. The EU is fully committed to the protection of the Good Friday Agreement, as it has always been. The way forward is the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, which was carefully crafted for this purpose and mutually agreed. Renew Europe will not let the Withdrawal Agreement be breached.
On the same day, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement is going through a first step of the consent procedure at committee level. Renew Europe strongly supports the agreement which is a good compromise and a strong basis for the future of EU-UK relations. But there is no good agreement without mutual trust, full and speedy implementation. We expect the UK to enhance its efforts to properly implement its commitments. We pay special attention to the protection of European fishermen’s rights as agreed. Conditions must be met before the consent procedure is completed.
Dacian Cioloş, President of Renew Europe said:
"We remain deeply concerned about the UK’s decision to unilaterally delay the full implementation of its legal obligations. The ratification of the agreement on our future relationship and the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement are interlinked. We want a EU - UK relationship built on strong foundations, which means clear guarantees that all existing legal commitments are fulfilled. "
Renew Europe has been resolute about the role of the European Parliament in the governance of any framework agreed on the EU - UK future relationship. We call on the European Commission to commit concretely to the conclusion of an Interinstitutional Agreement on this matter.
Nathalie Loiseau, Renew Europe member of the European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said:
"The European Parliament’s role in overseeing the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), if ratified, is essential. This is a democratic imperative. From fishing, to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, vigilance and proper parliamentary scrutiny is necessary to ensure the UK fully delivers on its commitments. "
For more information, please contact
Hughes Beaudouin
Mob : +32 473 400 129
