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.

Brexit - 8th Parliamentary term

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

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)

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

EP Plenary session - Ceremony on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - EU - UK relations

D-UK Bureau meeting

EU flag at half mast at the EP buildings in Brussels, on the occasion of the state funeral of her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom

EP Plenary session - The UK government’s unilateral introduction of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and respect for international law

EU - UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly first meeting

Press conference- 1st meeting of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets Lindsay CROISDALE-APPLEBY, Ambassador and Head of the United Kingdom Mission to the EU

EP Plenary session - Voting session

United Kingdom Contact Group - Exchange of views with Maros SEFCOVIC, Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and co-Chair of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement

Constituent Meeting of D-UK PPA

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

Lex signing ceremony: signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

Implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU (Brexit): statement by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D,PT) Rapporteur

MEPs take stock of the implementation of the rules governing EU-UK relations since 2020, including the recent Windsor Framework deal. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight and by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D,PT), Rapporteur.

EU-UK relations: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight and by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Rapporteur

MEPs take stock of the implementation of the rules governing EU-UK relations since 2020, including the recent Windsor Framework deal. MEPs debate (part 2).

EU-UK relations: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs take stock of the implementation of the rules governing EU-UK relations since 2020, including the recent Windsor Framework deal. MEPs debate (part 1).

EU-UK relations: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs take stock of the implementation of the rules governing EU-UK relations since 2020, including the recent Windsor Framework deal. Opening statement by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D,PT), Rapporteur, by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D,AT), AFET, Seán KELLY (EPP,IE), INTA; Loránt VINCZE (EPP,RO), LIBE; by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight and by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP,ES), PETI.

Joint debate - EU-UK relations: Opening statement by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D,PT), Rapporteur, Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D,AT), Seán KELLY (EPP,IE); Loránt VINCZE (EPP,RO), Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, VP of the EC, and by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP,ES)

Union's rights in enforcing and implementing the UK Withdrawal Agreement and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: extracts from the vote and statements by Seán KELLY (EPP, IE), by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT) and by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL).

Union's rights in enforcing and implementing the UK Withdrawal Agreement and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: extracts from the vote and statements by Seán KELLY (EPP, IE), by Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D, AT) and by Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL)

MEPs vote on the following topics: Amending the decision of 10 March 2022 on setting up a special committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (ING 2), and adjusting its title and responsibilities; Proposal for a decision - Setting up a subcommittee on Public Health; Transitional provisions for certain medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices; Union's rights in enforcing and implementing the UK Withdrawal Agreement and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; EU/Guyana Voluntary Partnership Agreement: forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU;

284 výsledkov