The EU is an important international relationship for Wales. It is by far its largest trading partner, and evidence to Senedd committees illustrates the significance of the relationship to people and organisations in Wales on issues such as citizens’ rights, touring artists trade, access to EU programmes, climate change and data sharing. As such, the UK Government’s proposed reset of UK-EU relations matters to Wales.
This article outlines Welsh, UK and EU priorities for the relationship and includes a timeline of key developments since the UK’s ‘reset’ announcement in July 2024.
Priorities
The UK and EU are due to kickstart more in-depth negotiations following a summit on 19 May, hosted by the UK. But finding a way forward is likely to be challenging, with the EU and UK outlining different, and at times, competing priorities.
In statements, speeches and meetings, there has been an emerging idea of what each partner wants from the relationship. At times they align, but there are clear differences between the issues being pursued. The Welsh Government has also outlined its own priorities, with the First Minister stating she wants “as close a relationship as we can get”.
The EU has said that no progress can be made without the existing agreements being implemented fully – this includes the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The UK Government has drawn clear red lines in its stance – no customs union, no Single Market and no free movement of people.
Those familiar with Brexit won’t be surprised that fishing rights may stall progress. Fisheries is a key area of the TCA and reports indicate that the EU is unlikely to progress with UK priorities until fishing rights issues are resolved.
The drop down menus below provide more detail on UK, EU and Welsh priorities for UK-EU relations.
Addressing the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) in March, Minister for EU Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, listed the UK Government’s three priorities. These include:
- Security: The UK wishes to negotiate a security and defence partnership;
- Safety: The UK wishes to achieve greater cooperation to tackle issues such as human trafficking; and
- Prosperity: The UK wish to “build on the structures” such as the TCA and Windsor Framework “to tear down trade barriers”. It is also seeking to negotiate a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
At the PPA, Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, listed three broad priority areas for “enhancing strategic cooperation with the UK”. These were:
- Security and resilience: The EU are seeking “deeper and more structured cooperation”.
- People to people contacts: This includes youth mobility; and
- The protection of the planet: The EU “aim to consolidate and advance cooperation on sustainable fisheries, climate, and energy and SPS issues”.
In a previous article, we highlighted that any reset was likely to involve negotiating a youth mobility scheme.
In January, the First Minister listed nine priorities for the upcoming TCA implementation review. These were:
- The need for a veterinary and plant health agreement;
- Addressing issues relating to mobility of workers and provision of services;
- The need for improved arrangements on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications;
- Exploring options to re-join EU programmes such as Erasmus and Creative Europe;
- Ensuring retention of EU Data Adequacy for Welsh businesses trading with the EU;
- Seeking Mutual Recognition Agreements, particularly on conformity assessments to reduce trade friction;
- Addressing export issues around Live Bivalve Molluscs;
- Discussions around rules of origin to enable businesses to use increased supply chains and trade tariff free; and
- Effective electricity trading arrangements.
The reset so far…
There’s been a series of UK-EU meetings since the UK Government took office in July. The drop down menus below list relevant developments since July:
- The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer MP, attended a meeting of the EU Council to discuss defence. This was the first time a UK Prime Minister had attended since Brexit.
- Maroš Šefčovič suggested the UK could join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention, which could simplify rules of origin. Nick Thomas-Symonds MP is reported to have responded that the UK has no current plans to join the Convention.
- Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, addressed a meeting of EU finance ministers. She reiterated calls for a reset in UK-EU relations as a means of “breaking down barriers to trade”.
- European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Prime Minister, Keir Starmer MP, met to discuss strategic cooperation. The Commission President is reported as saying the UK and EU should explore the “scope for more cooperation” but added focus was needed on “the full and faithful implementation” of all Brexit agreements.
- Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy MP, attended a regular meeting of EU foreign ministers. A BBC report stated his attendance would form part of “more regular engagement, with plans for closer working on international affairs”.
- Prime Minister, Keir Starmer MP, met with then German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, launching negotiations on a new bilateral treaty. Both parties said they were looking to agree the partnership in early 2025.
- Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy MP, undertook visits to Germany, Poland and Sweden, where he discussed proposals for a EU-UK security pact.
- Prime Minister, Keir Starmer MP, hosted the fourth European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace. During the Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the UK would not be able to “cherry-pick” a new deal.
- Nick Thomas-Symonds MP visited Brussels to meet with Maroš Šefčovič.
Next steps
The reset coincides with the TCA implementation review, which is due by 2026. Although the review and the reset are distinct, the European Economic and Social Committee said the “review will be key in shaping a forward-looking EU-UK relationship”. Four Senedd Committees are taking evidence on it and will report in the coming months.
Until then, all eyes are on the next milestone in UK-EU relations, the 19 May summit. With differences already emerging in the priorities of the UK, EU and Wales, time will tell if the Welsh Government’s asks are reflected in any future agreements.
Article by Madelaine Phillips, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
