Until the UK withdraws from the EU, all rights and obligations deriving from EU membership continue to apply in the UK.

 
The United Kingdom (UK) consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is not a member of the Schengen Area. There are 73 members of the European Parliament from the UK.

EU - United Kingdom

MEPs and UK MPs met&nbsp;in Brussels on 3 and 4 July for the third EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly to discuss, among other issues, the state of play within the Partnership Council, EU-UK common efforts to support Ukraine, and cooperation on trade and industrial policy - including responses to the US Inflation Reduction Act.&nbsp;

EU-UK relations are changed&nbsp;following Brexit and the deal reached at the end of 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of EU membership. The UK has lost all the rights and benefits it had as an EU Member State and is no longer a part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union.

The EU-UK withdrawal agreement in force since 1 February 2020, ensured that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU happened in an orderly manner, and protects the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, the EU’s financial interests, and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes.&nbsp; In April 2021 the European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting also its consent to the agreement.

EU - UK relations

On 29 March 2017, Theresa MAY, British Prime Minister, triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The right of a Member State to withdraw from the European Union was introduced for the first time with the Lisbon Treaty; the possibility of withdrawal was highly controversial before that. The Article 50 provides for the negotiation of a withdrawal agreement between the EU and the withdrawing state, defining in particular the latter's future relationship with the Union. If no agreement is concluded within two years, that state's membership ends automatically, unless the European Council and the Member State concerned decide jointly to extend this period.

See also our previous package on <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/brexit-8th-parliamentary-term_1603_pk">Brexit</a>.

Brexit

On 29 March 2017, Theresa MAY, British Prime Minister, triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The right of a Member State to withdraw from the European Union was introduced for the first time with the Lisbon Treaty; the possibility of withdrawal was highly controversial before that. The Article 50 provides for the negotiation of a withdrawal agreement between the EU and the withdrawing state, defining in particular the latter's future relationship with the Union. If no agreement is concluded within two years, that state's membership ends automatically, unless the European Council and the Member State concerned decide jointly to extend this period.

Brexit - 8th Parliamentary term

This package contains the events of 2020. For latest events, see related links.

The UK leaving the EU is not the end of cooperation. Discussions start to determine how the two will work together. Based on the European Commission’s draft negotiating directives, which were presented by EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday 3 February, the resolution will provide the Parliament’s initial input to the upcoming negotiations with the British government on a new partnership after Brexit.

The transition period starting on 1 February is set to expire at the end of December 2020. Any agreement on the future EU-UK relationship will have to be fully concluded before that point if it is to come into force on 1 January 2021. The transition period can be extended once for one to two years, but the decision to do so must be taken by the EU-UK Joint Committee before 1 July 2020. Parliament will have to approve any future relationship agreement. If such an agreement refers to competences that the EU shares with member states, then national parliaments will also need to ratify it.

EU - UK relations (2020)

MEPs, together with Commission and Council representatives, debate the preparations for the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit.

EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. 

In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme. Leaders will review the possibility of a youth mobility scheme to facilitate freedom of movement for young people aged 18-30, as well as efforts to eliminate sanitary and phytosanitary checks (SPS) on certain products that are exported from the UK to the EU, in particular those entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Preparation of EU-UK summit

AFET INTA - EU-UK Summit debriefing

EP Plenary session - Preparation of EU-UK summit

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with SOPHIE, Duchess of Edinburgh

5th EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly - Press point

5th EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

Conference Enhancing Public Participation: The Role of Parliaments in Public Engagement and Outreach - Key Lessons for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency

EPRS - Book talk ' On Leadership ' featuring Tony Blair

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Tony BLAIR, Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute of Global Change

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Nick THOMAS-SYMONDS, British Minister for the constitution and European Union relations

Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly Constitutive meeting

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Keir STARMER, British Prime Minister

3rd EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.- Press point

3rd EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with James CLEVERLY, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to London ( United Kingdom ) - Meeting with Sir Lindsay HOYLE, Speaker of the House of the Commons

MEPs, together with the European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Council representatives, debate the preparations for the first EU-UK summit since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: extracts from the debate

This video contains the speeches of Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union Affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, as they open the debate on the preparation of the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: opening statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

Conclusion speeches of Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for the European Union Affairs, and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, on the debate on the preparations for the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

MEPs, together with Commission and Council representatives, debate the preparations for the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit. EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme.

Preparation of the EU-UK summit: debate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with SOPHIE, Duchess of Edinburgh, arrival, welcome and roundtable.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with HRH SOPHIE, Duchess of Edinburgh, arrival, welcome and roundtable

The fifth meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) takes place in Brussels. Members exchange views on the Future of EU-UK foreign and security policy cooperation, Youth Opportunities, and Trade, customs and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Sandro GOZI (Renew, FR) and Marsha DE CORDOVA (MP, UK) hold a press point on the 5th EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly.

Press point by Sandro GOZI (Renew, FR) and Marsha DE CORDOVA, Co-Chairs of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (EU-UK PPA) on the 5th EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with Sir Keir STARMER, British Prime Minister in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Sir Keir STARMER, British Prime Minister : arrival, meeting and roundtable

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom (UK) government gave notice of its intention to leave the European Union (EU), following the outcome of the June 2016 referendum and in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Article 50(2) TEU provides that a withdrawal agreement should set out the terms of such a separation, taking the framework of the departing state's future relationship with the Union into account

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Agreement on future relations with the United Kingdom

MEPs and UK parliamentarians gather in Brussels to discuss the state of EU-UK relations, joint efforts to support Ukraine and sanctions policies. The EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly was set up following the entry into force of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in January 2021. It acts as a forum for the European Parliament and the UK Parliament to exchange views on EU-UK relations. It can also request information from the Partnership Council - the main joint EU-UK body overseeing the implementation of the TCA - and make recommendations to it. After the meeting, Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR) co-chair of the EU-UK PPA and Sir Oliver HEALD give a joint press point. The transcription is the result of an automatic process, please check against delivery.

Press point by Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR) co-chair of the EU-UK PPA and Sir Oliver HEALD, on the third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

MEPs and UK parliamentarians gather in Brussels to discuss the state of EU-UK relations, joint efforts to support Ukraine and sanctions policies. The EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly was set up following the entry into force of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in January 2021. It acts as a forum for the European Parliament and the UK Parliament to exchange views on EU-UK relations. It can also request information from the Partnership Council - the main joint EU-UK body overseeing the implementation of the TCA - and make recommendations to it. Full address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opening the second day of the meeting. The transcription is the result of an automatic process, please check against delivery.

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

MEPs and UK parliamentarians gather in Brussels to discuss the state of EU-UK relations, joint efforts to support Ukraine and sanctions policies. The EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly was set up following the entry into force of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in January 2021. It acts as a forum for the European Parliament and the UK Parliament to exchange views on EU-UK relations. It can also request information from the Partnership Council - the main joint EU-UK body overseeing the implementation of the TCA - and make recommendations to it. Atmosphere shots and extracts from the meeting in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

Third meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly: atmosphere shots of the opening and extracts from the meeting

MEPs and UK parliamentarians gather in Brussels on 3-4 July 2023 to discuss the state of EU-UK relations, joint efforts to support Ukraine and sanctions policies.

Nathalie LOISEAU, Chair of the EP delegation to the PPA, presents the upcoming 3rd EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly meeting

A ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement is organised during the plenary session in the European Parliament, in Brussels. The GFA, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was signed on 10 April 1998 by the British and Irish governments, and confirmed by referendums in Ireland and Northern Ireland in May the same year. The agreement established devolved political power-sharing structures for the nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland, and brought the 30-year period of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as The Troubles, to an end.

Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: extracts

European Parliament President Metsola, European Council President Michel and Commission President von der Leyen commemorate the signing of the 1998 Agreement during a ceremony. This clip broadcast during the event trace the history of the peace process in Northern Ireland. The GFA, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was signed on 10 April 1998 by the British and Irish governments, and confirmed by referendums in Ireland and Northern Ireland in May the same year. The agreement established devolved political power-sharing structures for the nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland, and brought the 30-year period of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as The Troubles, to an end. Rights are only granted for the editorial coverage related to the Commemoration of the GFA organized by the European Parliament, no other use is authorized for the media and other institutions. This video may not be edited and must be shown in its entirety.

Clip: 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - Reconciliation brought peace

This infoclip shows images of Belfast (Northern Ireland), historic building, goverment buildings, street views, city traffic, graffiti and banners of IRA related events, and voxpops of Belfast's residents about the Good Friday Agreement.

Infoclip: 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - Illustrations in Belfast and voxpops

This memoclip shows the period of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the reconciliation period between Dublin and Belfast which has ended up with the peace signed in the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The memoclip also includes extracts of speeches by relevant political figures (such as John HUME, David TRIMBLE, Mo MOWLAM, David ANDREWS) who contributed, with the members of the European Parliament, to reach the peace.

Memoclip: The European Parliament and the Good Friday Agreement

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs on behalf of the Swedish Presidency of the Council asign 6 COD LEX on Southern Bluefin Tuna, ELTIF Regulation, National Accounts, Union Secure Connectivity Programme 2023-27, Brexit Withdrawal Agreement/Trade and Cooperation Agreement, MDR and IVDR

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