Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 27 April 2021 - Brussels

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement - The outcome of EU-UK negotiations (debate)

  Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, now that Brexit has happened, the EU needs to have the strongest possible relationship with the UK. Even if we regret their choice to leave, as we do, and despite the fact that the way to today’s vote has been a long and winding one, we have still a lot of things that keep us close. Therefore, we needed a good post-Brexit deal, and the TCA, despite some shortcomings and concerns – for instance on data protection – overall establishes a positive framework for this new partnership.

But let’s be clear: an ambitious zero tariff and zero-quota trade agreement like this can only happen on condition that at the same time there is zero social, environmental, fiscal and regulatory dumping. Therefore we will be extremely attentive to the implementation of the provisions that ensure there is no regression and no divergences over time in social and environmental protection standards. A trustful partnership between the EU and the UK also requires the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol to be implemented in all its dimensions. We are fully committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement, shielding the peace process and avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Finally, let me underline something that hasn’t been brought to today’s debate yet. Let’s not forget that Brexit went ahead despite some constituent parts of the UK voting against it. And on top of that, the Welsh and Scottish governments have not been sufficiently consulted by London during the TCA negotiations. For our Scottish friends, the TCA might be the lesser evil to keep ties with the EU, but it is also a painful consequence of a decision imposed on them – a decision they did not take.

For them, as well as for an increasing number of people in Wales, the best possible relations with the EU is not the TCA. It certainly keeps being full membership in our Union. I hope they soon can rejoin us once they take a democratic choice in favour of independence.