Michel Barnier is the EU representative in charge of the future relationship with the United Kingdom.
Joseph Borrell is High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission.
On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union. We have just lost a family member. This withdrawal from the United Kingdom was a sad moment for us, for European citizens - but also for many British citizens.
However, we have always respected the sovereign decision of 52% of the UK electorate; and we are now turning to the opening of a new chapter in our relationships.
In addition to the emotional dimension of this departure, February 1 marked history, but without dramatization. This in particular thanks to the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the British government which enabled us to ensure an "orderly Brexit". An agreement which - at least in the short term - minimizes the direct impacts of this withdrawal for our citizens, our businesses, our public administrations - as well as for our international partners.
During this period, the United Kingdom will also continue to apply the international agreements signed by the European Union.This agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom provides in particular for a transitional period, which will extend at least until the end of 2020. During this period, although no longer enjoying the status of Member State, the United Kingdom will continue to apply European regulations and take part in the Customs Union and the Single Market. During this period, the United Kingdom will also continue to apply the international agreements signed by the European Union, as we have notified all of our global partners.
Thus, this period of transition establishes a certain degree of continuity, which was far from being obvious given the magnitude of the task with which we were confronted. By leaving the European Union, the United Kingdom automatically and legally withdraws from hundreds of international agreements concluded by or on behalf of the European Union, for the benefit of its member states, in fields as varied as the trade, aviation, fishing or civil nuclear cooperation.
The European Union and the United Kingdom are intimately linked by common history, geography, culture and values.We must now lay the foundations for a new partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom. This work will start in the coming weeks, as soon as the EU-27 has approved the negotiating mandate proposed by the European Commission. This mandate will set the ambitions and the conditions that will allow us to build this partnership, which we want as broad as possible, with a country that remains and will remain our ally, our partner and our friend.
The European Union and the United Kingdom are intimately linked by history, geography, common culture and values, shared principles and a strong belief in a multilateral system governed by rules of law. Our future partnership will reflect these shared ties and beliefs. We hope that it will extend beyond its commercial dimension and that we continue our cooperation in the fields of security and defense, areas in which the United Kingdom has experience and assets which will be better valued in the context of 'a joint effort. In a world today facing great challenges and changes, in the midst of turbulence and profound upheavals, it is important that we continue to consult and cooperate, bilaterally and within the main international regional forums such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, NATO or the G20.
Much more than an agreed speech, we are faced with the reality that global challenges - from climate change to cybercrime, terrorism or the fight against inequality - require collective responses. The better our chances of effectively meeting these challenges in the company of a United Kingdom working closely with the EU and our international partners.
Our partners can be sure that we will keep an ambitious and open agenda.At the very heart of the European project is the idea that we are stronger together, that pooling our resources and our initiatives is the best way to achieve our common goals. Brexit will not change this belief in any way, and we will continue to advance the European project at 27.
Together, the 27 Member States will continue to form a Single Market of 450 million citizens and over 20 million businesses.
Together, we remain the largest trading block in the world.
Together, at 27, we remain the world's largest contributor to development aid.
Our partners can be sure that we will keep an ambitious and open agenda - both in terms of trade and investment as well as in our climate action and our digital agenda, but also in terms of connectivity, security and counter -terrorism, defense of human rights and democracy, or on defense and foreign policy issues.
We will continue to respect all of our commitments around the world and to adhere to all of our international obligations.
The European Union will remain a trusted partner, a fervent defender of multilateralism based on the rule of law, working with our partners to make the world a safer and fairer place.
