EU - UK reset must be supercharged
Ten years after the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, and as European Parliament President Roberta Metsola travels to London for a high-profile visit, European Liberals and Democrats have called for the proclaimed EU–UK “reset” to be decisively accelerated.
Sandro Gozi, MEP and Co-Chair of the EU–UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, said:
“Brexit meant Brexit, but ten years is a long time in politics and the geopolitical landscape has changed beyond recognition. It is time for the UK Government to recognise that the EU is Britain’s closest ally and its strongest partner for sustainable economic growth in this new world order. Progress has been too slow. The EU–UK reset must now be supercharged. Engagement, based on respect of the Union’s principles, should be broadened and accelerated ahead of this summer’s EU–UK Summit.”
Sandro GoziRenew Europe MEP, France, Mouvement Démocrate
On the need for reform of EU accession and neighbourhood policy, Mr Gozi added:
“EU membership and improved ties with Europe is in demand. That is a sign of strength. But it also means we must reform to prepare for a larger Union. A long list of democracies want a closer association with our Union and this will require fresh thinking, optimism and institutional reform.
If we are serious about building a stronger alliance of democracies to respond to the United States, Russia and China, we cannot afford resistance to change or reliance on outdated Treaties.”
Barry Cowen, member of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the UK and shadow rapporteur on the Parliament's recent report on the implementation of the EU - UK TCA, said:
“We would like to see a reset from the UK that is commensurate with the scale of the challenges we face as Europeans. Ireland, Europe and the UK stand to benefit from greater ambition and from reducing trade barriers that remain unnecessarily high. Ten years after the Brexit decision, British people now want a closer relationship, so it is time to supercharge the reset.”
Barry CowenRenew Europe MEP, Ireland, Fianna Fáil Party