After respective years of triumphing over sovereignist sentiments, Britain is again coming closer to the EU. The UK Prime Minister has signed a number of agreements to strengthen cooperation with Brussels. According to the opposition, it is simply a decision to destruct the independency developed by London thanks to Brexit.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa signed 3 agreements in London on Monday, including safety and trade. This is the first EU-UK summit since Brexit in 2020.
– We open a fresh chapter in our unique relation – stated von der Leyen during a press conference after signing the agreements. It called Monday's summit in London "historical".
Von der Leyen said that the United Kingdom and the EU have agreed to step up their cooperation in the field of security, which she believes is simply a "first step" towards the UK's participation in the European Defence Investment Programme (SAFE), worth €150 billion.
– This will make fresh opportunities for our defence manufacture and open up the anticipation of stronger, more coordinated support besides for Ukraine added the EC President.
The signing of the contracts Keir Starmer commented as his state's return to the global arena. –This (trade) agreement is beneficial for both parties, meets British expectations (...), gives us unprecedented access to the European market – explained the head of the British government.
Costa estimated that the agreements reached between London and Brussels, “are more than just words on paper.” In his opinion, the EU and the UK work closely together to support Ukraine and "stabilize the transatlantic partnership".
Costa besides mentioned Russia's war with Ukraine, saying that Western states must exert force on Russia's leader Vladimir Putin by sanctions. He besides called on Russia to agree to unconditional ceasefire.
The president of the European Council announced that the EU-Great Britain summits would take place annually.
According to the UK government, by signing a fresh phytosanitary and sanitary agreement (SPS), imports and exports of food and drink are to be facilitated, which is likely to consequence in lower prices. Certain regular checks on animal and plant products will besides be abolished, which will affect the free movement of goods between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, which after Brexit remained part of the EU common market.
The UK Government recalled that the EU is Britain's largest trading partner. After leaving EU structures, London recorded a 21% drop in exports and a 7% drop in imports. The UK will be able to re-sale various products for the EU market, including burgers and sausages, after the agreement has been signed. In total, the British government estimates that it is expected to bring almost £9 billion to the economy by 2040.
The agreement besides protects British steel imports from fresh EU customs tariffs, which will save around £25 million per year.
In the affirmative colors of the agreement, politicians see no opposition. Conservative organization leader Kemi Badenoch commented on this erstwhile she said that Britain “has again become a state governed by Brussels”. Nigel Farage, head of the Eurosceptic improvement UK Party, said that "this is the end for the (British) fish industry".
The fish manufacture was very critical of the signed agreement. The head of the Scottish Federation of Fishermen Elspeth Macdonald, who represents the owners of around 400 fishing boats, said in an interview with the BBC that the agreement concluded was “total surrender to the EU”. In its opinion, a 12-year agreement means that the manufacture is losing any influence it could have from the yearly negotiations, "as a result, the EU continues to have a much larger share (in fishing quotas)". The Scottish Government besides criticised the fisheries agreement, adding that this part of the agreement was not consulted with the Edinburgh authorities.
It has besides been announced that the UK will start discussions on the launch of the mobility programme for citizens of EU countries up to 30 years old to enable them to travel, survey and work in the United Kingdom.
(PAP)/work. FA
