The BREXIT withdrawal deal – pragmatism and realism back on top of the agenda

Statement by Luca Jahier, President of the European Economic and Social Committee

On 25 November the EU Heads of State signed the Withdrawal Agreement after nearly two years of exhausting and complex negotiations. They agreed on a compromise based on a balance of rights and obligations, and close cooperation, that takes due account of the unique relation between the United Kingdom and the European Union after over 45 years of integration.

It is of the outmost importance for the next generations that we act responsibly towards a seamless win-win agreement after a very emotional and loose-loose divorce.

Civil society has a key role to play from now on with a view to depoliticising the negotiations and to bringing the focus back to pragmatism and realism if we are to conclude a successful and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

The new joint committee for future UK-EU relations is an ideal platform to address all aspects of close cooperation and cohabitation in a complex, ever changing world.

For its part, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is ready to play a coordinating role when it comes to addressing all policy issues from a civil society perspective.

The change in the terms of the relations with the United Kingdom must go alongside the definition and implementation of new paradigms in policy-making within the future Free Trade Agreement.

Civil society organisations are the voice of reason in so far as they stand for sectoral interests based on a realistic evaluation of relevant policies. The EESC’s specific added value is its ability to overarch the many sectoral approaches to design an integrated and shared response to today’s complex and interconnected social, societal and economic or environmental challenges.

For more information:
Daniela Vincenti, Spokesperson of President Luca Jahier
+32 497 412095

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