Political Declaration Setting Out the Framework for the Future Relationship Between the European Union and The United Kingdom
Report

Political Declaration Setting Out the Framework for the Future Relationship Between the European Union and The United Kingdom

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and European Union
European Commission, 2018
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Four months ahead of the United Kingdom’s March 29, 2019, withdrawal from the European Union, negotiators for the EU and UK have published a draft political declaration envisioning their post-Brexit relationship. Much of the declaration is open to interpretation but it outlines a vision for a closely cooperative relationship that builds on the parties’ existing integration while noting EU autonomy and UK sovereignty. The framework set out in the declaration has earned agreement at the negotiators’ level and agreement in principle at the political level. However, the declaration is non-binding, remains subject to ultimate political endorsement and the EU and UK may still disagree about the true meaning of its terms.

Summary

A Framework for Post-Brexit

The EU and UK have agreed to take an ambitious approach to their future relationship based on their shared values and interests. It will recognize each party’s principles and will seek to ensure both the EU’s autonomy and integrity and the UK’s sovereignty. It will aim to protect the European Union’s single market and will respect the result of the UK’s 2016 referendum.

Initial Provisions

The future relationship will be supported by commitment to shared values including human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. The parties also share a commitment to multilateralism. Because the relationship will require data flows between the parties, they will provide high levels of protection for personal data. Both will undertake to adopt a transfer regime for personal data by the end of 2020. The parties have shared interests in scientific innovation, overseas development, and civil protection so will define conditions necessary for the UK to participate in EU programs, including UK participation in European Research Infrastructure Consortiums. The UK and EU both maintain a commitment to pursuing...

About the Authors

Negotiators for the United Kingdom and the European Union agreed on and drafted the declaration. It remains subject to review by UK and EU lawyers and to endorsement by leaders.

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