Paul Johnston, the British Ambassador to Ireland, recently characterized a new agreement between the EU and the UK as particularly “significant.”
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This milestone was reached yesterday, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighting that it could potentially inject nearly £9 billion (€10.6 billion) into the UK economy by 2040.
Central to this agreement is the establishment of a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal covering plant and animal products, a framework that is not bound by time constraints.
In an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr. Johnston expressed optimism, stating that the deal “will make life much easier” for many businesses. “Approximately 100,000 British companies export to the EU annually—many to Ireland, and vice versa. By reducing bureaucracy and eliminating checks, we expect enhanced ease of doing business, which will likely lead to greater growth in the long run,” he said.
According to the ambassador, this deal marks the beginning of an essential process. He noted, “What we accomplished yesterday is significant—not only for trade but for defense, security, and the mobility of young people.” He emphasized that while it may not be the transformative trade deal that would involve changing any critical regulations, its significance cannot be understated.
Mr. Johnston conveyed concern over the decline in British exports to the EU, which have dropped by about 15% since Brexit. “It’s crucial for the government’s growth agenda to restore some of that volume; I believe yesterday’s deal is a significant step toward that goal,” he remarked.
The ambassador also highlighted that the British government will need to “pay to play” in the EU’s rearmament program. “Many defense industries, as I learned during my tenure in Sweden and my time as an ambassador in Brussels, will welcome the EU’s constructive role alongside Britain in the defense sector,” he added. “This collaboration is essential, given the evolving threats Europe faces.”
On the subject of migration, Mr. Johnston emphasized the UK’s unwavering commitment to reducing both overall and irregular immigration. He referred to a new White Paper introduced last week, outlining a range of initiatives aimed at this objective. “This is a specifically limited mobility scheme designed to allow young people from both the UK and the EU to experience living and studying in each other’s countries for a temporary period,” he explained. “While it aims to strengthen higher education partnerships, it’s fundamentally different from a broad freedom of movement policy.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the summit’s outcomes, calling it a “landmark moment” that reflects the mutual commitment to reset relations between the EU and the UK. “The UK is a vital, like-minded partner for both the EU and Ireland, united by shared values and a commitment to multilateralism and international norms,” he stated. “It is imperative that we collaborate on global challenges.”
Mr. Martin expressed enthusiasm for the conclusion of the defense and security partnership, noting that it signals “a fresh beginning in a positive and cooperative relationship, which is critical for addressing many areas of Ireland’s national interests and maintaining stability in Northern Ireland.”
He further highlighted the UK’s decision to extend fishing rights for the EU fishing sector by 12 years, which, he noted, “provides much-needed stability for Ireland’s fishermen and women.”
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn also welcomed the EU-UK reset agreement, emphasizing that aligning with EU standards for plant and animal products will yield significant advantages for businesses in Northern Ireland and Britain.
— Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
