The United Kingdom will take its seat at the European Council
table for another year and a half, and we have important work to
achieve together in this time.
But cooperation with our European friends will not stop in March
2019.
The UK will stand alongside the EU, as a strong and committed
partner, working to promote our shared interests and values.
Nowhere is this more important than in our approach to the global
challenges we face.
Whether security and defence, migration or foreign policy issues
- we face common opportunities and risks, and we must continue to
address them together.
As I’ve said before, the UK is unconditionally committed to the
security and defence of Europe. We share the vision of a strong,
secure and successful EU, with global reach and influence. An EU
capable of countering shared threats to our continent, working
alongside a confident, outward-looking UK.
Yesterday we discussed a range of subjects including migration,
the digital economy and some of the most pressing foreign policy
issues, such as North Korea and Iran.
We stand united in our clear condemnation of North Korea’s
aggressive and illegal missile and nuclear tests and urge all
states, including China, to play their part in changing the
course Pyongyang is taking.
On Iran, we have reiterated our firm commitment to the nuclear
deal, which we believe is vitally important for our shared
security.
Exit from the EU
And last night at dinner, I spoke to my fellow leaders about my
vision for a new, deep and special partnership between the UK and
the European Union after Brexit.
A partnership based on the same set of fundamental beliefs – in
not just democracy and rule of law, but also free trade, rigorous
and fair competition, strong consumer rights, and high regulatory
standards.
I am ambitious and positive for Britain’s future and for these
negotiations. But I know we still have some way to go.
Both sides have approached these talks with professionalism and a
constructive spirit. We should recognise what has been achieved
to date.
The UK and the EU share the same objective of safeguarding the
rights of EU nationals living in the UK and UK nationals living
in the EU.
EU citizens have made a huge contribution to our country and let
me be clear that - whatever happens - we want them and their
families to stay.
While there are a small number of issues that remain outstanding
on citizens’ rights, I am confident that we are in touching
distance of a deal.
On Northern Ireland, we have agreed that the Belfast agreement
must be at the heart of our approach and that Northern Ireland’s
unique circumstances demand specific solutions. It is vital that
joint work on the peace process is not affected in any way - it
is too important for that.
Both sides agree that there cannot be any physical infrastructure
at the border and that the Common travel area must continue.
We have both committed to delivering a flexible and imaginative
approach on this vital issue.
This Council is an important moment. It is a point at which to
assess and reflect on how to make further progress.
My speech in Florence made two important steps, which have added
a new impetus to the negotiations. I gave a firm commitment on
the financial settlement and I proposed a time-limited
implementation period based on current terms, which is in the
interest of both the UK and the EU.
Both sides agree that subsequent rounds have been conducted in a
new spirit. My fellow leaders have been discussing that this
morning and I believe that it is in the interests of the UK that
the EU 27 continues to take a united approach.
But if we are going to take a step forward together it must be on
the basis of joint effort and endeavour.
We must work together to get to an outcome that we can stand
behind and that works for all our people.
