Sir Keir Starmer declared “Britain is back on the world stage” after the Government struck a “landmark” deal with the EU
The European Union and Britain have reached a tentative agreement on defense and security, fisheries and youth mobility ahead of a EU-UK summit, paving the way for British firms to participate in large EU defence contracts.
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed new EU agreement as thousands of opportunities created in landmark deal – ‘Good for jobs, bills and our borders
Starmer added “After a long absence we’ll be able to sell great British burgers and shellfish into the EU”
The deal says No 10 will add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040
The deal will see the end of checks on agricultural exports from UK to EU providing there is ‘timely dynamic alignment’ with EU rules and standards.
The UK can ‘contribute appropriately’ to formulation of rules and standards but no right of veto
The EU will be given ‘full, reciprocal access’ to UK waters for fishing until 30th June, 2038
Both sides have agreed to ‘work towards’ a youth mobility scheme, rebranded as a ‘youth experience scheme. The scheme will allow people to work, study, au-pair, volunteer and ‘simply travel’ for limited period of time though there is no detail either about caps or time frame
The deal will see the two parties work towards the UK rejoining Erasmus scheme, so British students can study in the EU and vice versa.
The deal appears to suggest that Britons will be allowed to use e-gates ‘where appropriate’
The U.K. will have an exemption from the EU’s forthcoming carbon border tax, provided there is ‘dynamic alignment’ with EU and there is an ‘appropriate contribution’
Meanwhile on security there’s broad talk of co-operation with Europol and exploring ‘mutual and reciprocal exchanges’ on fingerprints, DNA and criminal records
The EU and the UK have committed to work together on ‘practical and innovative approaches’
“What we have agreed today is historic, it will make a real difference to people in the UK and across our union,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says
