The European Council has received recommendations from the Commission to open negotiations for a new UK partnership.

Based on existing council guidelines and the political declaration agreed between the EU and the United Kingdom in October 2019, it outlines the terms of an envisioned future partnership between the UK and EU.

Economic co-operation

The directives cover all areas of interest for the negotiations, including trade and economic co-operation and participation in union programmes.

There is one chapter of the recommendations dedicated to governance of economic and security co-operation.

As EU negotiator, the Commission intends to continue work in close co-ordination with the Council, as well as the European Parliament.

Our task will be to defend and advance the interests of our citizens

"We will negotiate in good faith. The Commission will continue working very closely with the European Parliament and the Council. Our task will be to defend and advance the interests of our citizens and of our Union, while trying to find solutions that respect the UK's choices,” said the European Commission's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.