The EU has hinted at the shape of Keir Starmer’s Brexit ‘reset’ suggesting the UK could join a European trade bloc, accept single market rules and strike a ‘youth mobility’ deal.
Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic pointed to the idea of Britain becoming part of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM).
He also floated ‘dynamic alignment’ of food and farming rules to ease checks on borders. And he made clear that Brussels is determined to have a reciprocal scheme for younger people to work freely in the UK.
The PM has made improving ties with the EU one of his top priorities, but faces a tricky balancing act after ruling out being part of a customs union or the single market.
Any sign of the UK cosying up with the bloc could also prompt the wrath of Donald Trump, a long-time critic.
The PEM allows for tariff-free trade of goods across Europe, as well as some North African and Levantine nations.
Some business groups have backed joining PEM on the grounds it would help to maintain complex supply chains.
However, planning minister Matthew Pennycook moved to pour cold water on the prospect this morning, saying it was not something the government is considering.
EU commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic pointed to the idea of Britain becoming part of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM)
The EU chief hinted at the shape of Keir Starmer’s (pictured) Brexit ‘reset’ suggesting the UK could join a European trade bloc, accept single market rules and strike a ‘youth mobility’ deal
Speaking to the BBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Sefcovic said the idea had not yet been ‘precisely formulated’ and that the ‘ball is in the UK’s court’.
The UK Government is said to have started consulting business on the benefits of the PEM plan and how it could help cut red tape and improve trade.
Mr Sefcovic also told the broadcaster he would like to see the possibility of a full-scale veterinary agreement between the EU and UK reviewed.
If UK food and farm products were given single market treatment, he said it would mean ‘we would have to have the same rules and we have to upgrade them at the same time, we call it dynamic alignment’.
A youth mobility scheme is thought to be a core demand for Brussels. Such an agreement could allow 18-30 year-olds to ‘travel, work and live’ across the EU and UK for up to four years. However, the Labour government has been unwilling to commit, amid fears that it could enrage Brexit supporters.
Mr Sefcovic said: ‘It’s not freedom of movement. It’s a bridge-building proposal.
‘We do not want to look like the demanders here, because we believe this is good for the UK.’
The Eu chief said that he had the UK’s Europe minister Nick Thomas-Symonds ‘on speed dial’.
The PM (pictured with Ursula von der Leyen) has made improving ties with the EU one of his top priorities, but faces a tricky balancing act after ruling out being part of a customs union or the single market
