Foreign Secretary to hail renewed “close and friendly UK-EU cooperation” in first speech to EU Parliament
Foreign Secretary sets out UK priorities for future cooperation with the EU in his first speech to the EU Parliament in Brussels.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly with Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič for the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels.
- James Cleverly in Brussels to co-chair second Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting since Windsor Framework alongside EU Vice President Maroš Šefčovič
- he will set out the UK’s priorities for future cooperation with the EU including on trade and Ukraine
- the Foreign Secretary will also meet with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the NATO Vilnius Summit next week
Today [Monday 3 July] the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will use a speech at the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) to promote a post-Windsor Framework future and welcome the more mature relationship the UK and EU have been able to build.
Cleverly will stress the importance of our continued coordinated support for Ukraine and thank the EU for their contribution to last month’s Ukraine Recovery Conference hosted in London.
Cleverly will also co-chair the 11th Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee alongside Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels and have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart.
The meetings are an opportunity to monitor progress on the implementation of the Windsor Framework and discuss shared UK-EU issues such as citizens’ rights or tackling illegal migration.
Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:
This is a new chapter in the UK-EU relationship. We stand together in our support of Ukraine, and we want to maximise the opportunities of our trade deal.
But we don’t have to agree on everything – a mature relationship can deal with differences.
He will also celebrate recent successes, such as signing an MoU on financial services and cooperating on immigration via a Working Arrangement with Frontex.
Whilst there, the Foreign Secretary will meet with Roberta Metsola to discuss UK-EU cooperation in areas such as support for Ukraine.
He will also sit down with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the Alliance’s support package for Ukraine and how the Alliance can adapt to future threats, including by increasing defence spending.
He will also reiterate the UK’s backing for Sweden to become a NATO Ally as soon as possible, following a successful visit to the country last week.
Read the Foreign Secretary’s speech at the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly. You can also view the joint statement on the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting, 3 July 2023.
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