The document sets out our approach to our Future
Relationship with the European Union.
Our approach lays out our suite of proposals with the EU.
The main element is the comprehensive Free Trade Agreement,
or FTA, covering substantially all trade. We have also
proposed a separate agreement on fisheries that will take
back control of our waters, as is our right as an
independent coastal state; an agreement on law enforcement
and judicial cooperation in criminal matters to help
protect the public and bring criminals to justice; and
agreements in technical areas covering aviation, energy and
civil nuclear cooperation which will help ensure continuity
for the UK on its new footing as an independent sovereign
nation.
We are seeking the type of agreement which the EU has
already concluded in recent years with Canada and other
friendly countries. Our proposal draws on previous EU
agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Trade
Agreement, the EU/Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and
the EU/South Korea Free Trade Agreement. And it is
consistent with the Political Declaration agreed last
October, in which both sides set the aim of concluding a
‘zero tariffs, zero quotas’ Free Trade Agreement.
Our approach is based on friendly cooperation between
sovereign equals. Our offer outlined today represents our
clear and unwavering view that the UK will always have
control of its own laws, political life and rules. Instead,
both parties will respect each other’s legal autonomy and
the right to manage its own borders, immigration policy and
taxes.
We believe that our approach and proposals are fair and
reasonable. This Government is committed to establishing
the future relationship in ways that benefit the whole of
the UK and strengthen the Union.
