UK Minister for the Cabinet Office to urge EU Parliament to strengthen UK-EU cooperation
|
Russia’s assault on Ukrainian democracy shows the need for UK and
EU parliamentarians to work together, UK Minister for the Cabinet
Office Michael Ellis will say today in a speech to the European
Parliament. He will address the first meeting of the UK-EU
Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, set up under the UK-EU Trade
and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to support post-Brexit co-operation
between the UK and EU Parliament and parliamentary scrutiny of
UK-EU relations....Request free trial
Russia’s assault on Ukrainian democracy shows the need for UK and EU parliamentarians to work together, UK Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Ellis will say today in a speech to the European Parliament. He will address the first meeting of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, set up under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to support post-Brexit co-operation between the UK and EU Parliament and parliamentary scrutiny of UK-EU relations. Minister Ellis will praise the EU for its efforts to encourage support for Ukraine through sanctions and defensive supplies. He will emphasise the shared UK-EU objectives in defending democracy and strengthening Western alliances. He is expected to say: “Today, members of Ukraine's Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, are representing fellow Ukrainians and carrying out the functions of Ukrainian democracy. “They have continued to meet throughout Russia’s illegal invasion, even as Russian troops occupied the outskirts of Kyiv, even as their members balanced their parliamentary duties with military training to defend their city. “The European Parliament’s resolution on 1 March, calling for defensive weapons for Ukraine and punitive sanctions against Moscow, led the call on many of your governments to act. The UK Parliament has also been united in support of our action on Ukraine.” Addressing the UK-EU relationship, Minister Ellis will welcome the largely smooth implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement “The TCA - the world’s largest zero-tariff, zero-quota FTA - is helping businesses adjust to the new commercial environment. Through the channels established in the agreement, we have ensured its effective implementation.” He will also welcome areas where co-operation has been strengthened outside of the TCA, particularly on tackling climate change through the UK’s COP Presidency and where bilateral agreements have been reached with member states on areas like artist and performer visa-waivers and aviation. However, the speech will also call on EU Parliamentarians to do more to facilitate UK-EU cooperation in other areas “and show that we elected representatives can be the driving force of a new era of UK-EU partnership. To benefit all of the people we represent.” He will warn “that the EU continues to delay formalising the UK’s participation in Horizon (and Copernicus, Euratom Research and Training). There is no practical reason for this delay - the EU is not fulfilling the commitments they made when the TCA was agreed. It is disheartening that a number of countries have now successfully associated to Horizon, including Israel and Kosovo, while the EU continues to delay UK association. This is purely political. The EU’s approach is putting long term collaboration on shared challenges at risk. “Whatever our other disagreements, holding back the ability of UK and EU scientists to work together benefits no one and sends an unfortunate message about the politicisation of cooperation, which risks making it harder for third countries to rely on cooperation with the Union.” Minister Ellis will also urge for progress to accelerate the development of new efficient electricity trading arrangements which were due to come into force last month, warning that delays risk impacting “the development of renewables in the North Seas – supporting our shared net zero ambitions and plans to reduce reliance on Russian hydrocarbons.” On Northern Ireland, the Minister will reiterate the UK’s commitment to protect peace and stability and safeguard the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions. He is expected to say: “Peace in Northern Ireland is based on respect between all communities and the consent of those communities – the current arrangements with the EU are undermining that. We will not allow this to continue, we must fix how parts of the Protocol are being implemented, stabilise the situation in Northern Ireland and form an Executive – thereby protecting the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. “We have engaged in negotiations with the European Union in good faith. Vice President Sefcovic has tried to find solutions within the mandate he has been given. But I’m afraid, in our view, their current proposals would take us backwards from where we are today. It’s therefore hugely disappointing that the EU have confirmed that they will never change their mandate and because of that the situation is now very serious. “We have gone out of our way to ensure none of our proposals risk undermining the integrity of either the EU or the UK’s single market. We have created new systems to provide the EU with commercial data they have asked for - giving them confidence no goods are being smuggled into either market. “We will continue to talk with the EU but we won’t let that stand in the way of protecting peace and political stability in Northern Ireland. As both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have made clear, we will take action to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement if solutions cannot be found.” Further information:
|