“The European Movement welcomes the principles set out in the Windsor framework, announced today, and applauds the spirit of cooperation and negotiation projected in statements from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“We are pleased to see the Prime Minister taking notice of the tens of thousands of people across the country who signed our petition for the UK government to abandon dangerous posturing that could risk a trade war with our European Neighbours. And while there is still detail to be ironed out, we hope that the Windsor framework between Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland will provide clarity and smooth trade for UK businesses, boost the economy of Northern Ireland, and preserve the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“But most of all, the European Movement hopes that these talks mark a turning point in the UK’s relationship with Europe. One that is not dictated to by hard-line Brexiters, but puts the people of all four nations of the United Kingdom first.
“The next step is to get the UK back in the Horizon science programme, and then for the Government to abandon its rash and dangerous Retained EU Law Bill, that risks our workers’ rights and environmental standards. But this is just the start. To regain the economic advantages Boris Johnson’s deal threw away, the government will in time need to negotiate a far deeper relationship with the EU for trade, stability and prosperity.
“But our relationship must go further. Soon, we will celebrate 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement, a landmark peace negotiation and it is a timely reminder of what we are capable of when we work together.
“The European Movement is committed to working with all political parties to reverse the calamity of Brexit and today’s move by Sunak’s government is a step forwards on that journey.”