Agreements
The Windsor Framework
27 February 2023: A political agreement in principle by the Commission and UK government on a new way forward on the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland
The European Commission and the Government of the United Kingdom reached a political agreement in principle on the Windsor Framework. This constitutes a comprehensive set of joint solutions aimed at addressing, in a definitive way, the practical challenges faced by citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland, thereby providing them with lasting certainty and predictability.
The joint solutions cover, amongst other things new arrangements on customs, agri-food, medicines, VAT and excise, as well as specific instruments designed to ensure that the voices of the people of Northern Ireland are better heard on specific issues particularly relevant to the communities there. These new arrangements are underpinned by robust safeguards to ensure the integrity of the EU's Single Market, to which Northern Ireland has a unique access.
The European Commission and the Government of the United Kingdom reached a political agreement in principle on the Windsor Framework. This constitutes a comprehensive set of joint solutions aimed at addressing, in a definitive way, the practical challenges faced by citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland, thereby providing them with lasting certainty and predictability.
The joint solutions cover, amongst other things new arrangements on customs, agri-food, medicines, VAT and excise, as well as specific instruments designed to ensure that the voices of the people of Northern Ireland are better heard on specific issues particularly relevant to the communities there. These new arrangements are underpinned by robust safeguards to ensure the integrity of the EU's Single Market, to which Northern Ireland has a unique access.
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was signed on 30 December 2020, was applied provisionally as of 1 January 2021 and entered into force on 1 May 2021.
Together with the Withdrawal Agreement, the TCA sets the framework for the relationship between the EU and the UK, going beyond traditional free trade agreements. It covers a vast number of areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes. It is underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field and respect for fundamental rights.
The TCA includes a parliamentary dimension, foreseeing the establishment of a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) between the European and the UK Parliaments. The EP delegation for relations with the UK constitutes the EU side of the EU-UK PPA.
Together with the Withdrawal Agreement, the TCA sets the framework for the relationship between the EU and the UK, going beyond traditional free trade agreements. It covers a vast number of areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes. It is underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field and respect for fundamental rights.
The TCA includes a parliamentary dimension, foreseeing the establishment of a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) between the European and the UK Parliaments. The EP delegation for relations with the UK constitutes the EU side of the EU-UK PPA.
EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement
The UK and the EU negotiated an agreement - formally known as "The Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community"- in order to iron out the details of the UK's departure from the EU.
The partners agreed on the text, as well as the accompanying Political Declaration, on 17 October 2019. It entered into force on 1 February 2020.
The Agreement foresaw a transition period running until end of 2020. During this time, the UK was treated as a Member State, except for its participation in EU Institutions and governance.
Article 50
The general process had been described by Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union.
However, the five paragraphs in the Treaty describing withdrawal are not detailed enough to guarantee an orderly exit in all areas.
Withdrawal provisions
The Agreement contains six parts focusing on:
The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland aims to safeguard all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. According to the text, Northern Ireland remains in the UK customs territory, while also benefiting from the single market.
Oversight
The EU-UK Joint Committee oversees the management and implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The partners agreed on the text, as well as the accompanying Political Declaration, on 17 October 2019. It entered into force on 1 February 2020.
The Agreement foresaw a transition period running until end of 2020. During this time, the UK was treated as a Member State, except for its participation in EU Institutions and governance.
Article 50
The general process had been described by Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union.
However, the five paragraphs in the Treaty describing withdrawal are not detailed enough to guarantee an orderly exit in all areas.
Withdrawal provisions
The Agreement contains six parts focusing on:
- Common provisions
- Citizens' rights
- Separation provisions
- Transition
- Institutional and final provisions
The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland aims to safeguard all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. According to the text, Northern Ireland remains in the UK customs territory, while also benefiting from the single market.
Oversight
The EU-UK Joint Committee oversees the management and implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.