Relations with the UK: Vice-President Šefčovič to co-chair the first meeting of EU-UK Joint Committee on Monday, 30 March

Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, together with the UK Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, will co-chair on Monday, 30 March the first meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee established by the Withdrawal Agreement. “By holding this important meeting under the current difficult circumstances, we show our political commitment to ensuring the full and precise implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement that is key for building a solid future partnership”, Vice-President Šefčovič said. The Joint Committee is made up of representatives from both the EU and the UK and is responsible for overseeing the implementation and application of the Withdrawal Agreement. One of its many tasks include resolving possible disputes over the interpretation of the Agreement. If such a scenario were to occur, the EU and the UK can refer each other to this Committee. Its first meeting on Monday will allow to make a political assessment of the state of play of the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, and to exchange on the actions planned by the UK, in particular in implementing the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The meeting will also take stock of the implementation of the citizens’ rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the registration of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in EU Member States. The work of the Specialised Committees will also be launched. Given the extraordinary coronavirus developments, both sides agreed to hold the meeting by way of teleconference. The agenda for the meeting is available online. For more information on the Withdrawal Agreement, see here.