Proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (debate)
Sophia in 't Veld (Renew). – Madam President, we have heard tough language on assuring a level playing field and not lowering our European standards, for example when it comes to food safety or environmental standards. But I do hope that the negotiating team will be just as tough when it comes to data protection standards. I’m quite worried to see the eagerness of the Commission to issue a so-called ‘adequacy decision’ when it is far from clear that the UK Government can be trusted with our data. I refer to recent scandals like the gross abuse of UK access to the Schengen database.
In addition to discussing our future relationship, let’s not forget the implementation of what has been agreed so far and in particular citizens’ rights. I strongly urge the Commission to make sure that the rights of 3.5 million EU citizens in the UK and 1.5 million British citizens in the EU27 will be secured not just on paper, but also in practice.