Minister Addresses UK-EU Parliamentary Assembly

It really is a pleasure to be here with you all today.

But I do want to just begin, by joining Maros in wishing all our Irish friends a very happy St Patricks Day.

I'd also like to thank the Assembly…

…especially the Chairs, Sandro and Marsha…

…for giving Maros and I this opportunity to speak to you all today.

And it is that idea of opportunity that I want to talk about…

…because we have a chance to strengthen the strategic alliance between the UK and the EU…

…and I want to talk about how - by being ruthlessly pragmatic - we can harness this opportunity, for the benefit of the people that we are all elected to serve.

Now this is the very first meeting of the reconstituted Assembly…

… and I know that you are welcoming members, both new and old.

Since this Government came into power, we have worked tirelessly to change the UK's approach.

In the recent past, we have been too focused on what divides us…

…and it's those differences that have too often defined the agenda.

But I believe these groups and these meetings must be used for our collective good.

This Assembly was set up under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement…

…to ensure the voices of parliamentarians - and, in turn, our citizens - can be heard.

You're all serving the interests of the people who voted for you…

…and we must use every opportunity available to us to build trust…

…and improve cooperation.

And all of you here today - through your membership in the Assembly - are essential to that work.

Now, I have already met members of both delegations - and I am committed to maintaining that engagement.

The UK and EU's future will be defined by how we both tackle our shared challenges together.

We are living through a period of generational challenge…

…and I know as political leaders - we all feel the scale of this moment.

War in Ukraine…

…people smuggled in treacherous conditions by treacherous criminals…

…the price of energy and the cost of inflation…

…achieving growth and prosperity to boost living standards for our citizens…

…all of these challenges are exacerbated by a mindset of division.

They are problems across our continent…

…and they require a coordinated response.

Just look at the actions of our Prime Minister this year.

He was delighted to be a part of the European Leaders retreat last month…

…where he made the case for greater cooperation between the EU and the UK.

On 2 March, he hosted European leaders, as well as the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the EU Commission, EU Council and indeed welcomed Canada…

…for a summit focused on Ukraine.

The importance of these meetings cannot be overstated.

They are emblematic of how seriously this Government takes European security.

And there is no greater imperative to this than supporting Ukraine.

In the face of Russia's illegal and barbaric invasion, we must be resilient.

It is why we recently announced an increase in UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

We are stepping up, and we know that the EU is stepping up, too.

It was heartening to see - on the anniversary of the invasion - that the EU reaffirmed its unwavering support.

And at the European Council meeting earlier this month, where EU leaders agreed a significant increase in defence spending.

I know that, together, we are determined to help Ukraine prevail…

…and rebuild.

We must keep pushing - together - to find new ways to achieve this.

At a time of such intense global change, I believe it is vital to recognise what unites the UK and the EU…

…and understand how our mutual priorities can be realised through teamwork.

We saw that in action this January…

…where, on the same day, the UK Chancellor and the President of the European Commission gave speeches about the challenges facing them.

Both spoke about their desire for growth…

…both spoke about how their potential had been held back…

…and both spoke too about the importance of trade openness.

In fact, both our Prime Minister's 'Plan for Change' and the President's 'Competitiveness Compass' focused on the same priorities…

…like reducing red tape, improving skills and a more resilient economy.

The UK government was elected on a mandate to increase our security, keep our citizens safe and to encourage growth.

Europe is a crucial partner in these priorities…

…and, indeed, Europe shares those concerns.

That is why we are living up to the obligations we have in existing Agreements and Frameworks…

…that is how trust is earned.

No more threats to break international law in 'limited and specific ways'…

…and no more undermining of the ECHR.

So we are respectful of the TCA and the Windsor Framework…

…and we want to build on that structure to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Prime Minister has tasked me with leading these discussions with Maros…

…supported by our new EU Sherpa Micheal Ellam.

And I want to thank Maros - not only for the way he has been so constructive in his relationship with me…

…but for the many years - and no doubt late nights - that he has dedicated to the EU - UK relationship…

…but also the pragmatism he is known and respected for.

And in our discussions I have always been clear about our desire to strengthen our alliance - and I focus on the three priorities I mentioned…

…on security, safety and prosperity…

…where I believe there is much benefit to be gained.

And it's these priorities I would like to focus on.

First, security.

Now, I've already spoken about how seriously we're taking this…

…and I know that it is a topic you will be discussing later today.

But it bears repeating: to keep Europe secure, we need to support allies like Ukraine…

…and work with NATO on security and defence.

As the Prime Minister said in the UK Parliament recently, we have:

"A recognition of the fact that once again, we live in an era where peace in Europe depends upon strength and deterrence."

So, we are seeking a broad UK-EU cooperation on security and defence matters…

…and we're ready to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership.

This has been central to the Prime Minister's approach with European leaders.

When he visited the informal European Leaders' Summit, he discussed what this partnership could include…

…and what it could address.

He suggested a focus on R&D…

…improved military mobility across Europe …

…greater co-operation on missions and operations…

…and building on our industrial collaboration.

Building on that commitment, let me turn to the next pillar: safety.

I am clear that if we want to protect our respective borders…

…and keep our citizens safe…

…then we need to work together.

The criminals that we all try and combat pay no respect to our borders…

…whether they're taking part in the vile global trade in human trafficking…

…or planning a terrorist attack to push their agenda and terrify our citizens.

These challenges plague us all…

…and I believe that it is only through greater cooperation that we can remain safe.

It's why we have already increased the UK's presence at Europol…

…but I believe we should be going further.

We need to think of new ways to coordinate our security…

…and ensure we have the intelligence and skills to combat cross-Europe criminal enterprises.

And finally, prosperity.

The European Union is the UK's biggest trading partner…

…with trade totalling over £800bn in 2023.

And while that figure is still impressive, we know it is not as good as it could be.

A study published last year by Aston University Business School showed that between 2021 and 2023, the goods EU businesses export to the UK were down by 32%…

…while UK goods exports to the EU were down by 27%.

What I'm hearing from businesses that I speak to is that this drop is down to them facing more barriers and more costs.

They're frustrated, and I can understand why.

As 'Businesseurope' set out in a report this Autumn, and I quote: "There remain many unnecessary barriers to trade and investment. Following the elections of new governments in the EU and UK, there is a clear opportunity to upgrade the relationship to deliver for businesses and citizens."

And that is why we want to build on the structures we have - the TCA and the Windsor Framework…

…to tear down trade barriers and make Brexit work better for the British and European people.

We have already said that we will seek to negotiate a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement…

…to help boost trade…

and deliver benefits to businesses and consumers in both the UK and the EU.

Now, all these issues have been at the forefront of our Government's discussions with the EU.

In fact, since the UK election, there have been over 70 direct engagements between UK ministers and their EU Counterparts.

We have agreed to hold regular UK-EU Summits…

…with the very first one, as Maros has said, being hosted in London on 19th May…

…which will be a great opportunity to strengthen this work further.

But ultimately, this is all about building trust…

…and this Government wants to keep its word…

…and become a trusted and stable partner.

Our discussions continue on the full implementation of the TCA and the Withdrawal Agreement …

…with almost all of our Specialised Committees meeting last year…

…and there are plans in place to meet again in the coming months.

The co-chairs continually update each other on their progress…

…whilst monitoring and reporting on their passage to full and faithful implementation.

We fully believe in these structures…

…but we also fully believe in the opportunities to improve the status quo.

So, ladies and gentlemen, the time for ideologies is over.

The time for ruthless pragmatism is now.

And it is the only way we can seek a closer, more cooperative relationship.

After all, a stronger UK-EU relationship means a stronger Europe.

This Assembly will be a vital part of that journey…

…where that mutual interest will be demonstrated and discussed.

I also know that many of you have deep expertise, insights and passion for this agenda…

… and I am sure that this forum will be a fantastic way to bring these to bear.

I want to thank you for the time you have given me to discuss my work. To say how much that I am looking forward together.

This forum, this Assembly is such an important part of hat shared future and what a pleasure it is to discuss this with you today.

Thank you.