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

EP Plenary session - The United Kingdom accession to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters

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

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the Data Protection Commissioner v Facebook Ireland Limited, Maximillian Schrems (“Schrems II”) - Case C-311/18; and on the adequate protection of personal data by the United Kingdom.

Joint debate on data protection adequacy: MEPs debate 2/2

During the plenary session 26 - 29 of April 2021 in Brussels the chair announces the result of the voting session (27/03). Single vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement - Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D,AT) and by Christophe HANSEN (EPP,LU) Final vote on the outcome of EU-UK negotiations - motions for resolutions. Results of the vote are 697 voting - 578 in favor - 51 against - 68 absentions

Announcement of the results of the second voting session (27/04) - vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

Ambiance shots of the arrivals prior to the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels,

Ambiance shots of the arrivals prior to the plenary session

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate part 4 of 4 (continuation after voting session)

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate 4/4 (this part continues after voting session)

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate part 2 of 4

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate 2/4

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. To minimise cross-border disruption, the agreement has already been applied provisionally since 1 January 2021; the provisional agreement is set to lapse on 30 April 2021. Parliament’s consent is necessary for the agreement to properly enter into force. Extracts from the press conference and statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair AFET, Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair INTA, Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), Rapporteur and Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT).

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: extracts from the press conference and statements

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: One round Political group leaders

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: One round Political group leaders

Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT), and Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), rapporteurs, David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) give a joint press conference on the vote on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.. Session of questions and answers with journalists.

Press conference on the vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Q&A session

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Opening statements by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT) and by Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), co-rapporteurs. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Opening statements by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT) and by Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), co-rapporteurs

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate part 4 of 4 (continuation after opening of the vote)

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate 4/4 (continuation of the fourth part after opening of the vote)

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Opening statements by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Opening statements by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Opening statement by Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force of the European Commission for Relations with the United Kingdom.This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Opening statement by Michel BARNIER, Head of Task Force of the European Commission for Relations with the United Kingdom

Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT), and Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), rapporteurs, David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) give a joint press conference on the vote on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Press conference on the vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: opening statements by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT), and Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), rapporteurs, David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Chair, and Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), INTA Chair

During the plenary session (26 - 29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: closing statements

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, European Council

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate part 3 of 4

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate 3/4

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on EU-United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate part 1 of 4

Joint debate on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: MEPs debate 1/4

David SASSOLI, EP President, and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Secretary of State for European Affairs, on behalf of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council, participate in a Lex signing ceremony, in the European Parliament in Brussels. The signature concerns: control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (codification); Programme for the Union's action in the field of health –for the period 2021-2027; InvestEU Programme Regulation; equivalence of forest reproductive material produced in the United Kingdom to such material produced in the Union; and Equivalence of UK Practices for the Maintenance of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species Decision'.

Lex Signing ceremony: extracts from the signature of Five COD LEX with David SASSOLI, EP President and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

This memoclip contains archive footage of Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom

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