The UK and EU have reached a historic agreement, promising unprecedented access to the EU market, faster travel options, and significant environmental benefits for British people.
The Lancaster House summit marked a historic moment in the UK’s unique relationship with the EU, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a comprehensive deal that promises to deliver significant benefits for British people.
The United Kingdom's (UK) relationship with the European Union (EU) dates back to 1973, when it joined the precursor to the EU, the European Economic Community.
Over the years, the UK has been a key player in EU decision-making, contributing significantly to its policies and regulations.
However, on June 23, 2016, the UK held a referendum, resulting in a majority vote to leave the 'Brexit'.
The subsequent Brexit negotiations led to the UK's withdrawal from the EU on January 31, 2020.
Today, the UK is in a transition period, navigating its new relationship with the EU and establishing trade agreements.
Starmer hailed the agreement as a ‘win-win‘ for Britain, citing its unprecedented access to the EU market, which he described as ‘the best of any country.’ The deal includes faster access for travellers, who will be able to use e-gates at airports on the continent, and a landmark emissions-trading deal that will avoid £800m of carbon border taxes.
The agreement promises tangible benefits for Britons, including cheaper food in supermarkets, an end to passport queues at European airports, and easier access to the Erasmus university exchange programme. Young people will also be able to access the EU through work, study, au pair or travel under a new youth mobility scheme.
Desiderius Erasmus, also known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch philosopher and theologian.
Born in 1466, he is best recognized for his influential writings on the New Testament.
Erasmus' most notable work is 'Novum Instrumentum Omne', which challenged traditional Church teachings.
He advocated for reform within the Catholic Church and is often credited with laying the groundwork for the Protestant Reformation.
The trade deal comes with a price, however – the UK will grant EU fishers access to British waters for an additional 12 years, a move that has been met with criticism from right-wing Brexiters. Industry figures have also expressed disappointment with the deal, which they claim ‘surrenders the best prospect that the fishing industry and coastal communities had for growth over the coming decade.’
The Brexit refers to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
The UK held a referendum in 2016, where 51.9% voted to leave the EU.
The process began with Article 50 being invoked in March 2017.
Key aspects include trade agreements, immigration policies, and regulatory frameworks for the UK-EU.
The UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement was ratified in January 2020, paving the way for Brexit on January 31st, 2020.
The Lancaster House summit marks a new era of cooperation between the UK and EU. The agreement includes a defence pact as the first step towards securing British access to a new €150bn (£126bn) EU rearmament fund, although the UK will pay into the fund.
While the deal is widely seen as a positive development for Britain, there are still many questions to be answered. The fine print of the agreement has yet to be agreed upon, and negotiations will now begin on the details. However, von der Leyen expressed hope that the UK would be able to join the defence agreement ‘within weeks.‘
- theguardian.com | Keir Starmer hails UK’s reset deal with EU as a ‘win win’
