European Council Guidelines Lay Out Road Map to Agreement Protecting Passengers and Industry
ADS welcomes today’s proposals on important areas for aerospace, aviation, defence and security in negotiating guidelines published by the European Council.
The new guidelines set out the EU27’s approach in detailed negotiations to reach a deal on the UK’s new long-term relationship with the European Union (EU), including:
- The European Council restates the EU’s determination to have as a close a partnership as possible, covering trade and economic cooperation, as well as security, defence and the fight against terrorism and international crime.
- Aiming to maintain zero tariffs and no quantitative restrictions covering trade in goods, as well as customs cooperation.
- An intention for an air transport agreement, combined with aviation safety and security agreements, ensuring continued connectivity between the UK and EU.
- Participation for the UK in collaborative EU programmes such as those for research and innovation.
Industry will welcome the approach set out in the guidelines, which opens the door for continued UK membership of and participation in key EU regulatory agencies, such as the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as proposed by Prime Minister Theresa May in her speech earlier this month.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“Today’s new guidelines from the European Council clear the way for a comprehensive agreement to be reached that delivers the close partnership we need with the EU to ensure jobs, prosperity and national security in the future.
“In aerospace, passenger safety is our highest priority, and it is vital for both passengers and industry that there is no disruption to the existing EASA regulatory regime in the UK.
“There is now an opportunity for negotiators to reach an ambitious aviation agreement that includes EASA membership that protects passengers and smooths the way for our industries to do business around the world.
“We now seek further clarity on future customs arrangements that make sure customs or regulatory barriers affecting trade at our borders are avoided. The UK aerospace industry could face new costs of up to £1.5bn from any new barriers to trade, which we can ill afford.
“Today’s new guidelines have also set out the European Council’s intention to ensure continued close cooperation between the UK and EU in security and defence. This is welcome and it is important for negotiators to make sure agreement is secured on these and other complex issues.”