UK Parliament hosts plenary session of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

On 7 and 8 November 2022, a delegation of MPs and Peers participated at the second session of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA), and the first to be held in Westminster.

The PPA is made up of 35 members from the UK Parliament (21 MPs and 14 Peers), alongside an equivalent number from the European Parliament.

Established under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA), the PPA acts as a forum for the UK Parliament and the European Parliament to exchange views on their partnership. The inaugural session of the PPA took place in Brussels in May.

The session provided an opportunity to discuss a range of issues including energy co-operation across Europe, as well as relations between the PPA, civil society and the devolved institutions. There was also a major debate on the Future of Europe and on the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

The PPA meets twice a year, once in London, and once in either Brussels or Strasbourg.

Prior to the session the Co-Chair of the PPA, Sir Oliver Heald KC MP said:

 “I am delighted that the UK Parliament is hosting the second session of the UK-EP PPA, and the first to be held in Westminster.

 “Our two parliaments are close partners, and the session will be a chance for us to discuss a number of key issues, not least the matter of energy co-operation across Europe.

 “We will also be having important discussions on how the PPA should work with the UK’s devolved legislatures.

 “At our first meeting in Brussels there were calls for detailed technical talks about the Northern Ireland Protocol and more energy cooperation and it is good to see that such talks are now taking place and that progress is being made on energy. This time we will also have discussions on cybersecurity cooperation. The Parliamentary Assembly wants to press successfully for good relations between the UK and the EU and to achieve more cooperation in vital areas of interest at the Commission/Governmental level.

 “I look forward to warmly welcoming colleagues from the UK Parliament and the European Parliament to the Plenary session in Westminster”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Ahead of the session, an informal press-briefing with the co-chairs of the PPA, Sir Oliver Heald KC MP and Nathalie Loiseau will take place on the Parliamentary Estate. To register your attendance, please email rendallae@parliament.uk by 1300 on Friday 4^th November.
• The session will be streamed live on the UK Parliament YouTube channel and, as a public session, may be attended by members of the press and public
• The Vice-Chairs from the UK delegation are Hilary Benn MP and Lord Kinnoul. The Vice-Chairs from the European Parliament delegation are First Vice-Chair Seán Kelly of the Irish Fine Gael Party, and Second Vice-Chair Bulgarian Socialist Tsvetelina Penkova.

The PPA is headed by a Bureau, bringing together Co-Chairs and two Vice-Chairs from each delegation. The Co-Chairs and Bureau may meet between PPA meetings.