Communiqués

The Bureau of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) warmly welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Commission and the government of the United Kingdom on the UK´s association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus.

This agreement is of paramount importance for scientific and space collaboration between the EU and the UK. It will strengthen and deepen the links between EU and UK researchers and scientists and will foster innovation.

Today´s agreement responds to calls from the EU and UK research and scientific communities, who have been actively advocating for the UK´s association to these programmes. Likewise, PPA Members have repeatedly emphasised the importance of this association.

This is another decisive step in developing the full potential of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and consolidating the existing positive and constructive cooperation, reinforced by the Windsor Framework.

For further information, please contact:

Office of Ms Nathalie Loiseau: nathalie.loiseau@europarl.europa.eu
D-UK Secretariat: D-UK@europarl.europa.eu

Following the third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, held in Brussels on 3-4 July, the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the European Parliament's delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR), Sean Kelly (EPP, IE) and Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D, BG), issued the following statement:

'During the third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA), Members of both parliaments called for strengthening people-to-people contacts and business opportunities in Northern Ireland.

This call is in line with the Windsor Framework, which provides specific solutions to ensure that the people and businesses of Northern Ireland are better heard and that they have the necessary legal clarity, certainty and predictability as regards the operation of the Protocol.

In this context, we would like to propose the establishment of a EU one-stop shop in Belfast, where people and business would get the assistance they need to navigate the legislation applicable to them and the necessary help to be better equipped to benefit fully from the opportunities that Northern Ireland enjoys, thanks to its unique position, with access to both the EU and UK internal markets.

This EU office would bring together, under the same roof and/or on a single platform, all the necessary expertise that people and business in Northern Ireland need to unlock the full potential of the new arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework.'

For further information, please contact:

Office of Ms Nathalie Loiseau: nathalie.loiseau@europarl.europa.eu

D-UK Secretariat: D-UK@europarl.europa.eu

The Bureau of the EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly welcomes the Windsor Framework. It is a significant development, which is a product of the close cooperation for which the PPA had called, and we trust it will address the problems created by the implementation of the original Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. We look forward to it being put fully into operation.

We also express the hope that this will lead to a new spirit of partnership between the EU and the UK.

The EU Retained Law Bill: MEPs worried over potential impact on bilateral trade and investment

At its meeting of 26 January, the Members of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (D-UK) discussed the impact the EU Retained Law Bill could have on EU-UK relations, in particular as regards trade and investment.

After the meeting, the D-UK Chair and Vice-Chairs, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR), Sean Kelly (EPP, IE) and Tsvetelina Penkova (S&D, BG) issued the following statement:

'This proposal, if adopted, would result in further regulatory divergence between the EU and the United Kingdom, which will generate higher costs for bilateral trade and investment and will hamper citizens, labour and business rights by reducing the existing levels of protection already established by EU law and implemented as part of the UK domestic law. Moreover, following articles 387 and 391 of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, both sides have committed to refraining from weakening their levels of social, labour and environmental protection. At a time when we are seeing a more constructive and collaborative spirit between the EU and the UK, the passage of this Bill in its current form could risk progress being made in other areas of the relationship'.

Nathalie Loiseau MEP, Chair of the D-UK said: "If adopted, the Retained EU Law Bill would result in higher costs for trade and investment between the EU and the UK. This self-inflicted harm to citizens and businesses can be avoided, especially in times of economic crisis when we should aim to foster strong economic growth for the benefit of our fellow citizens".

Background

In order avoid a regulatory gap at the end of the transition period, EU regulations and EU decisions were retained as part of the United Kingdom's law.

On 22 September 2022, the United Kingdom government tabled the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) bill. This bill includes a sunset to the retained EU law by the end of 2023, unless an act is assimilated into domestic law, modified or revoked by the government by delegation.

The assimilation, modification or revocation procedure provided for in the bill gives ministers very broad regulatory powers while reducing parliamentary scrutiny significantly. It does not include impact assessments or a structured process for the civil society to engage.

This could affect up to 4 000 pieces of legislation across all policy areas.

The bill is being currently debated in the House of Lords

On the occasion of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Nathalie Loiseau, Chair of the European Parliament's UK Delegation and Co-Chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, would like to express her condolences to the Royal Family and the British people.

"Queen Elizabeth II was respected and admired by EU citizens across our Union. Her work building bridges between European countries in the Post - war period will long be cherished. Our profound condolences to the Royal Family & the British people."

On the occasion of the election of Liz Truss as the new leader of the Conservative Party and as she prepares to become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Nathalie Loiseau, Chair of the European Parliament's UK Delegation and Co-Chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, would like to congratulate her on her new role and wishes her the best of luck. "I hope the UK will make all the necessary efforts to rebuild a relationship of trust with the EU, as its nearest ally, in order to move forward in developing a strong and mutually beneficial partnership."