Minister Thomas-Symonds speech at the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
Minister Thomas-Symonds speech at the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership 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.聽
I鈥檇 also like to thank the Assembly鈥�
鈥specially the Chairs, Sandro and Marsha鈥�
鈥or 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鈥�
鈥ecause we have a chance to strengthen the strategic alliance between the UK and the EU鈥�
鈥nd I want to talk about how 鈥� by being ruthlessly pragmatic 鈥� we can harness this opportunity, for the benefit of the people that we are all elected to serve.聽聽
Now this is the very first meeting of the reconstituted Assembly鈥�
鈥� 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鈥檚 approach.聽
聽In the recent past, we have been too focused on what divides us鈥�
鈥nd it鈥檚 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鈥�
鈥o ensure the voices of parliamentarians - and, in turn, our citizens - can be heard.聽
You鈥檙e all serving the interests of the people who voted for you鈥�
鈥nd we must use every opportunity available to us to build trust鈥�
鈥nd improve cooperation.
And all of you here today 鈥� through your membership in the Assembly 鈥� 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鈥檚 future will be defined by how we both tackle our shared challenges together.
We are living through a period of generational challenge鈥�
鈥nd I know as political leaders - we all feel the scale of this moment.聽
War in Ukraine鈥�
鈥eople smuggled in treacherous conditions by treacherous criminals鈥�
鈥he price of energy and the cost of inflation鈥�
鈥chieving growth and prosperity to boost living standards for our citizens鈥β�
鈥ll of these challenges are exacerbated by a mindset of division.
They are problems across our continent鈥�
鈥nd 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鈥�
聽鈥here 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鈥β�
鈥or 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鈥檚 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 鈥� on the anniversary of the invasion 鈥� 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.聽
I know that, together, we are determined to help Ukraine prevail鈥�
鈥nd rebuild.
We must keep pushing 鈥� together 鈥� 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鈥�
鈥nd understand how our mutual priorities can be realised through teamwork.
We saw that in action this January鈥�
鈥here, 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鈥�
鈥oth spoke about how their potential had been held back鈥�
鈥nd both spoke too about the importance of trade openness.
In fact, both our Prime Minister鈥檚 鈥楶lan for Change鈥� and the President鈥檚 鈥楥ompetitiveness Compass鈥� focused on the same priorities鈥�
鈥ike 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鈥�
鈥nd, indeed, Europe shares those concerns.
That is why we are living up to the obligations we have in existing Agreements and Frameworks鈥�
鈥hat is how trust is earned.聽
No more threats to break international law in 鈥榣imited and specific ways鈥欌�β�
鈥nd no more undermining of the ECHR.
So we are respectful of the TCA and the Windsor Framework鈥β�
鈥nd 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鈥�
鈥upported by our new EU Sherpa Micheal Ellam.聽
And I want to thank Maros - not only for the way he has been so constructive in his relationship with me鈥�
鈥ut for the many years - and no doubt late nights - that he has dedicated to the EU - UK relationship鈥�
鈥ut also the pragmatism he is known and respected for.聽聽
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鈥�
鈥n security, safety and prosperity鈥�
鈥here I believe there is much benefit to be gained.
And it鈥檚 these priorities I would like to focus on.
First, security.
Now, I鈥檝e already spoken about how seriously we鈥檙e taking this鈥�
鈥nd 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鈥�
鈥nd work with NATO on security and defence.
As the Prime Minister said in the UK Parliament recently, we have:聽
鈥淎 recognition of the fact that once again, we live in an era where peace in Europe depends upon strength and deterrence.鈥�
So, we are seeking a broad UK-EU cooperation on security and defence matters鈥�
鈥nd we鈥檙e ready to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership.
This has been central to the Prime Minister鈥檚 approach with European leaders.
When he visited the informal European Leaders鈥� Summit, he discussed what this partnership could include鈥�
鈥nd what it could address.
He suggested a focus on R&D鈥�
鈥mproved military mobility across Europe 鈥�
鈥reater co-operation on missions and operations鈥�
鈥nd 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鈥�
鈥nd keep our citizens safe鈥�
鈥hen we need to work together.
The criminals that we all try and combat pay no respect to our borders鈥�
鈥hether they鈥檙e taking part in the vile global trade in human trafficking鈥�
鈥r planning a terrorist attack to push their agenda and terrify our citizens.
These challenges plague us all鈥�
鈥nd I believe that it is only through greater cooperation that we can remain safe.
It鈥檚 why we have already increased the UK鈥檚 presence at Europol鈥�
鈥ut I believe we should be going further.
We need to think of new ways to coordinate our security鈥�
鈥nd ensure we have the intelligence and skills to combat cross-Europe criminal enterprises.
And finally, prosperity.
The European Union is the UK鈥檚 biggest trading partner鈥�
鈥ith trade totalling over 拢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%鈥�
鈥hile UK goods exports to the EU were down by 27%.
What I鈥檓 hearing from businesses that I speak to is that this drop is down to them facing more barriers and more costs.
They鈥檙e frustrated, and I can understand why.
As 鈥楤usinesseurope鈥� set out in a report this Autumn, and I quote: 鈥淭here 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.鈥�
And that is why we want to build on the structures we have - the TCA and the Windsor Framework鈥�
鈥o 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鈥�
鈥o help boost trade鈥β�
and deliver benefits to businesses and consumers in both the UK and the EU.聽
Now, all these issues have been at the forefront of our Government鈥檚 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鈥�
鈥ith the very first one, as Maros has said, being hosted in London on 19th May鈥�
鈥hich will be a great opportunity to strengthen this work further.
But ultimately, this is all about building trust鈥�
鈥nd this Government wants to keep its word鈥�
鈥nd become a trusted and stable partner.
Our discussions continue on the full implementation of the TCA and the Withdrawal Agreement 鈥�
鈥ith almost all of our Specialised Committees meeting last year鈥�
鈥nd there are plans in place to meet again in the coming months.
The co-chairs continually update each other on their progress鈥�
鈥hilst monitoring and reporting on their passage to full and faithful implementation.
We fully believe in these structures鈥�
鈥ut 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鈥�
鈥here that mutual interest will be demonstrated and discussed.
I also know that many of you have deep expertise, insights and passion for this agenda鈥�
鈥� and I am sure that this forum will be a fantastic way to bring these to bear.聽
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.聽
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.聽
Thank you.