European Movement UK welcomes the outcome of the Prime Minister’s visit to Brussels. It was clear throughout that there is now a new, positive tone in EU-UK relations and a platform for much closer cooperation. It is especially reassuring that there will now be regular summits. We are encouraged that the PM and the EC President resolved to be ambitious in strengthening cooperation, based on the UK and the EU having a unique relationship and shared values. Their joint commitment to the ECHR is also to be welcomed.
Shared values and a closer relationship
Sir Nick Harvey, CEO of European Movement UK and former Armed Forces Minister, said:
“It was clearly right and proper, given the upheaval in the Middle East and the continuing illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, that the meetings in Brussels should focus primarily on defence and security. The discussions between the Prime Minister and the EU institutions were serious politics in a hugely challenging global context.
“That said, we at EM UK would argue forcefully that defence and security – and the geopolitical interests that the EU and the UK share – are ultimately inseparable from economic and trade issues. A closer trading relationship, with the UK in time returning to the customs union and the single market, would make the UK – but also the EU – more prosperous and stronger. The closer the relationship between the EU and the UK, the more economically self-reliant and able to stand up to authoritarian states we will both be.”
What is more, the PM and President von der Leyen rightly emphasised our shared values. If we want those shared values to flourish and to underpin ever closer cooperation, it is crucial that we repair the cultural exchanges and links that have been damaged by Brexit.
Youth mobility throughout Europe
Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement UK and founder of Scientists For EU, said:
“As a start, the UK must return to Erasmus, so that our young people from all backgrounds can experience life in the rest of Europe, and we can once again welcome Europeans to the UK. These exchanges build understanding, widen horizons and create lasting ties. We also urge the government to negotiate a wider youth mobility agreement with the EU, pending the day when we can take the much more radical step of restoring free movement for everyone.”
We believe that the PM’s visit to Brussels has demonstrated that there is now genuine goodwill between the UK government and the EU institutions. We hope that both sides nurture the seeds sown and bring the EU and the UK closer together, so that we can start to repair the damage done by Brexit.
