#SOTEU - The Withdrawal Agreement is a ‘matter of law, trust and good faith’ #Brexit

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented her ‘State of the European Union’ address to the European Parliament today. The address is sweeping taking in almost all areas of EU activity.

On the state of EU-UK relations expressed, Von der Leyen said that Europe must deepen and refine its partnerships with its friends and allies and that this should start with revitalizing its most enduring partnerships, including those across the Channel. She expressed concern that with every day that passes, the chances for timely adoption of a new EU-UK agreement fade.

Von der Leyen said that the Withdrawal Agreement, which took three years to negotiate, could not be changed, disregarded or disapplied. The agreement, she said, guarantees citizens rights, the EU’s financial interests, the integrity of the single market, and crucially, the Good Friday Agreement. She added that the agreement as it stands was the best and only way for ensuring peace on the island of Ireland, rebuffing claims by the British government that their current actions were focused on defending the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Attempts to unilaterally change the agreement, Von der Leyen said would be a breach of law, trust and good faith.

Share this article: