EU Relations with the United Kingdom: Important Things to Know

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The relationship between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) has gone through some tumultuous times recently. With Brexit, the UK leaving the EU, looming over them, many have wondered what the future holds for these two powerful nations and all the interdependent relationships between them.

The EU and UK have had a complex relationship for years and continuing to be intertwined in some ways could be beneficial for both parties. This article will provide an overview of the EU and UK’s current status, explain their relationship, and outline the key points to be aware of in order to better understand the two sides’ relationship.

Background of the EU and UK’s Relationship

The European Union and the United Kingdom have been intertwined for decades. The EU is a political and economic partnership between 28 European countries, formed in the early 1950s to encourage economic cooperation and trade. The UK joined the EU in 1973 and was a key member, advocating for strong integration between members.

Although the UK has seen great success in its economic and political alliances with other EU members, it has also been at odds with the body on a number of issues. In 2016, the British people held the Brexit referendum, which resulted in the UK voting to leave the European Union.

Since then, the two sides have been negotiating their arrangements for leaving and have come to an agreement on a future relationship. This agreement forms the basis of the current EU-UK relations, and while the current situation is anything but perfect, both sides recognize the importance of having a strong relationship.

What is the EU-UK Relationship Today?

The EU and UK are still intertwined in many ways, with the two sides having an ‘association agreement’, with regular meetings to discuss ongoing issues. This agreement was last updated in March 2021 and lays out the framework for how the two sides will continue to cooperate and collaborate on various issues.

One key element of this agreement is the ‘level playing field’ which seeks to ensure that the UK and EU countries are following the same rules and standards, such as those related to the environment and labor. Additionally, there are provisions in the agreement which seek to protect fundamental rights.

In terms of trade, the EU-UK relationship has been a major topic of discussion. In December of 2020, the two sides reached a provisional trade agreement, which came into effect on January 1st 2021. This Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) sets out the rules for future trade between the two sides, as well as cooperation in areas such as law enforcement.

Important Things to Know About EU-UK Relations

The relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom is complex and constantly evolving. Here are the key points that everyone should know in order to better understand their relationship:

  1. The UK is Still Part of the EU: Even though the UK has left the European Union, they still remain a part of the organization in many ways. For instance, the UK is still a member of the European Council, the European Parliament and still participates in various EU programs such as the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme.

  2. There Are No Tariffs or Quotas on Exports: As per the terms of the TCA, the UK and EU have agreed to a zero-tariff and zero-quota arrangement on goods, meaning that goods can be exported freely without additional levies. This means that companies in both the EU and UK can trade freely with one another.

  3. Cooperation is Key: The EU and UK have agreed to cooperate closely when it comes to issues such as security, law enforcement and climate change. The two sides are also continuing to work together on research and innovation, as well as student exchanges.

  4. The Agreement is Final: Although the UK and EU are still in negotiations on a number of issues, the TCA is the final agreement between them and should provide stability for the foreseeable future.

The relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom has faced uncertain times in recent years, with Brexit looming and negotiations on a wide range of issues. Despite this, the two sides have come together to form an important Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

With this agreement in place and both sides continuing to cooperate on a range of issues, the future looks bright for EU-UK relations. It is important to keep in mind the key points outlined in this article in order to stay up-to-date with the continuing relationship between the two sides.

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