The end of the war between London and Brussels. Weber: EU ready to renegotiate a trade agreement

The war between the European Union and the Great Britain in connection with Brexit is definitely over – MANFRED Weber, head of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, assured “Telegraph” on Sunday in “Telegraph”. He added that Brussels is ready to renegotiate with London a trade agreement concluded in 2020.

The British daily reminded that the German MEP, who at the head of the largest faction in the EP, was a definite critic of Brexit.

In the conversation, Weber emphasized that with the takeover of power in Great Britain by the Labor Party in 2024, “the whole saga regarding Brexit was closed.”

According to the newspaper, this statement is a signal that the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer should start pressing the trade agreement. In May, a preliminary agreement was concluded, in which Great Britain agreed, among others Adapt to European food standards in exchange for the freedom to export goods with fewer customs controls. The document also includes defense issues, a 12-year fishing contract and a commitment to adapt to EU regulations regarding the health of plants and animals.

During the interview with “Telegraph”, Weber suggested that it is possible to start negotiations aimed at improving the trade and cooperation agreement (TCA), i.e. a trade agreement concluded after Brexit by the then head of the British government Boris Johnson in 2020. The contract came into force on January 1, 2021, after the end of the transition period, and then.

Laburists sought to renegotiate TCA before the election. Until now, Starmer in this matter has met with a refusal by the European Commission, which conducts commercial negotiations on behalf of 27 EU Member States.

“Brussels is renewing the contract, which she considers consistent with her interests, but the Labor Party signaled that she is ready for a pragmatic approach, if she decides that it is in the national interest,” reads the journal. Currently, talks are underway between the EU and the United Kingdom on the unification of regulations regarding the health of plants and animals, including veterinary control, to revive trade.

– We believe in the open market. If there is a chance to conclude a favorable contract for both parties, to reach a joint agreement, let's act. (…) Of course, all economic issues are the basic issue, both sides need growth, “said Manfred Weber.

According to “Telegraph”, the words of MEP may be a signal to change the EC approach to Great Britain. The newspaper explains the validity of this statement by the fact that her interlocutor is considered “as the second most influential German in Brussels, after Ursula von der Leyen, chairwoman of the European Commission.”

From London Marta Zabłocka (PAP)

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