On Monday 3 July, the European Union and the United Kingdom held the 11th joint committee meeting aimed at resolving the difficulties arising from Brexit in 2020. The two parties met in London last March, shortly after the so-called ‘Windsor Framework’ agreement was reached to make life easier for citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland (see EUROPE 13130/2).
Speaking to MEPs at the EU/UK parliamentary assembly, which is meeting on 3 and 4 July in Brussels, Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič welcomed the “new constructive tone” of the British government, which “takes promises seriously”. “We hope this will last”, he added.
For his part, the British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, noted the same “relationship of trust” that led to the ‘Windsor’ Agreement. He called for continued and strengthened cooperation, such as on Ukraine with respect to the Russian aggressor, but also on migration with the Frontex agency.
Mr Šefčovič nevertheless pointed to difficulties, such as the rights of European citizens in the UK. The two parties have adopted a joint statement in which they stress the “importance and priority of these issues” and promise to resolve the administrative obstacles facing EU nationals in the UK, as well as British nationals living in the EU.
Link to the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/7vn (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)