Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer heralded a new era of closer cross-Channel ties coming from the accords announced at May’s EU-UK Summit in London. But actual deals on trade, defence, energy and youth mobility will depend on further negotiations; and better UK access will require both more financial contributions to the EU and UK acceptance of rules made in Brussels.
So is a dynamic Europe in prospect? Or are both sides still unduly constrained by their “red lines” at a time of existential threats?
Two guests discussed that at an AEJ UK meeting on June 24 held at Europe House courtesy of the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in the UK
Lord Roger Liddle was at the heart of EU-UK decision-making during a more ambitious European age. He was Tony Blair’s special adviser on Europe from 1997 to 2004, and later served as principal adviser to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Sandro Gozi is an Italian MEP for the centrist Renew party and chair of the delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly. He is also a former undersecretary of state for European affairs in the Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni governments. He will join the meeting remotely.
