On 27 April, the European Parliament voted in favour of granting its consent to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement setting out the framework for the future EU-UK relationship. The consent decision was adopted by 660 votes for, five against and 32 abstentions, with an accompanying resolution, setting out Parliament’s evaluation of and expectations from the deal, passed by 578 votes, with 51 against and 68 abstentions.
On 24 December 2020, EU and UK negotiators agreed the Trade and Cooperation Agreement establishing the terms for future EU-UK cooperation, which had been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021, in order to minimise disruption. However, the consent of the European Parliament had been required for the Agreement to enter into force permanently. As well as the significant focus on trade, the Agreement includes key aspects of continued cooperation, including around data exchange and the Horizon Europe programme. Whilst MEPs welcomed the continued cooperation in many areas, they expressed regret that the UK had not agreed to the inclusion of aspects such as development policies and had not continued its participation in the Erasmus+ student exchange programme. The agreement will enter into force once the European Council has concluded it, before 30 April.
Further details on the Agreement can be found at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210423IPR02772/parliament-formally-approves-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement
