Statement from the Co-Chairs regarding the second meeting of the UK-EU PPA.

We, the Co-Chairs, would like to thank both Mr Speaker, the Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and the Lord Speaker, the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith, for welcoming the Assembly to Westminster and for their kind words regarding the important work of the Assembly in strengthening UK-EU relations.

The PPA had the opportunity to exchange views with Leo Docherty, Minister for Europe and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and with Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Co-Chair of the Partnership Council and the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee.

The PPA held an exchange of views on energy cooperation with the Rt Hon Graham Stuart, Minister for Climate for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Mr Morten Petersen, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. In recognition of the importance of UK-EU cooperation in this area, the Assembly also agreed a recommendation to the Partnership Council. The recommendation condemns the continuation of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and acknowledges the shared energy challenges facing the UK and the EU as a result. The PPA calls for close cooperation and regular meetings between the UK and the EU, particularly in the coming months. The PPA requests that the Partnership Council report in writing to the Assembly in advance of its next meeting as to how the UK and the EU have cooperated on energy and how the Parties have built on the work of the North Sea Energy Cooperation grouping.

The Assembly held three break-out groups on topical issues as a mechanism to facilitate more informal discussions amongst members of the Assembly. We, the Co-Chairs, selected the following topics for consideration following consultation with our respective delegations:

1. The mobility of creative professionals
2. The rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU
3. Cooperation on defence and security, with particular reference to cyberdefence and data exchange

The key points raised in these groups have been set out in a letter to the Partnership Council for observation.

The PPA exchanged views on the Future of Europe and the future relationship between the UK and the EU with Lord Hill of Oareford, former European Commissioner, Mr Marek Havrda, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Czech Republic and H.E. Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, Head of the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom. The Assembly also discussed future cooperation between the PPA and civil society, and between the PPA and devolved legislatures within the UK. We were pleased to welcome guest speakers from the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee as part of this important debate.

We look forward to continuing our close cooperation during our third meeting, which will be organised by the European Parliament in spring 2023.

Sir Oliver Heald                                                                  Nathalie Loiseau