The UK's new Minister for European Union Relations will travel to
Brussels today for his first face-to-face meeting with EU
Commission Executive Vice President .
The meeting aims to set the ground for further discussions
between the UK and EU as the UK seeks to reset its relationship
with the bloc and build closer cooperation on shared
issues.
The meeting follows their positive introductory call on Sunday
7th July and Minister Thomas-Symonds' visit to Brussels on Monday
8th, on his first full day in the role, where he met with the UK
Ambassador to the EU and addressed staff at the UK Mission to the
EU.
The Minister was appointed by Prime Minister to lead future UK discussions
with the EU and to reset the UK-EU relationship.
Other UK Ministers have also held introductory calls with EU
counterparts. Including Prime Minister Keir Starmer's call with
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Secretary
David Lammy's call with High Representative Josep Borrell, Home
Secretary Yvette Cooper's call with Commissioner for Home Affairs
Ylva Johansson and Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Jonathan Reynolds' call with Trade Commissioner Valdis
Dombrovskis.
Minister Thomas-Symonds also accompanied the Prime Minister and
Foreign Secretary to the NATO Summit in Washington last week,
meeting with European leaders including Germany, Poland, Sweden
and Turkey alongside the PM. The Minister also met US lawmakers
including the Chair and Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Europe.
Minister for European Union Relations said:
Our Government is committed to resetting the relationship with
the European Union, to strengthen ties, reinforce our security
and tackle barriers to trade.
The EU and Member States are among the UK's closest friends and
allies. With war in Europe, and shared global challenges,
in areas such as climate change and illegal migration, a strong
UK - EU alliance is vital.
I am looking forward to meeting the Executive Vice President in
Brussels today, it was a pleasure to speak to him immediately
after my appointment last week. I expect to be engaging with him
and EU colleagues much more in the coming months, as we work
together to help make our continent safer and more prosperous.
EU Commission Executive Vice President said:
The EU and the UK are close neighbours, partners, and allies,
sharing values as well as challenges that are global in nature. I
am looking forward to receiving Minister Thomas-Symonds to
discuss ways to strengthen our cooperation, while making the most
of our existing agreements that form the cornerstone of our
partnership.
