Joint Statement released by Co-Chairs of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
13 May 2022
After the UK - EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) met in Brussels, its Co-Chairs Nathalie Loiseau and Sir Oliver Heald have released a joint statement.
The Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA) is expected to meet twice a year, once in London and once in either Brussels or Strasbourg. Co-Chairs Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, France) and Sir Oliver Heald (Conservative Party, House of Commons) met with the PPA in Brussels on 12-13 May and have released their first joint statement.
Statement by the Co-Chairs
"We, the Co-Chairs, would like to thank sincerely European Parliament President Metso la for her kind opening remarks and best wishes for the future work of this Assembly. We share her view of the importance of this new body as a platform for building a new EU-UK relationship.
"During this meeting, we had the opportunity to exchange views with European Commission Vice President, Maros Sefcovic, and UK Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis, on the state of play within the Trade and Cooperation Agreement's Partnership Council. We also reflected on how Withdrawal Agreement issues impact the work of the Partnership Council and the importance of building a new multi-dimensional EU-UK relationship, as well as how to strengthen our cooperation on energy, in the context of high energy prices and the war in Ukraine.
"We discussed with the UK Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, and the European External Action Service's Secretary-General, Stefano Sannino, EU-UK cooperation in relation to the war in Ukraine.
"In this regard, we want to express our complete support and solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine and to condemn in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked and unjustifiable Russian assault. We support the strong sanctions imposed against Putin's regime and welcome the decisive action undertaken by the EU and the United Kingdom, together with our allies, in support of Ukraine and its people. We need to remain united in this endeavour and to join forces to put pressure on Russia's regime to end this evil aggression as soon as possible, to stop the loss of innocent lives, to restore international law and to support Ukraine and its people to rebuild their lives and their country.
"We look forward to continuing our constructive and open dialogue during our second meeting, which will be organised by the Parliament of United Kingdom in the autumn."