The European Commission and the UK have reached a political agreement on the outstanding question of the UK’s participation in the Horizon Europe research programme and the EU’s earth observation programme, Copernicus.
Over three and half years since the UK left the EU, both parties have settled the question of Britain’s adherence to the EU's leading research programmes, which were not included in Boris Johnson’s negotiated Withdrawal Agreement after the UK government made a hasty exit in 2019.
On Thursday, a political agreement was finally reached between Brussels and London after six months of negotiations.
For its participation in both Horizon Europe and the Copernicus component of the space programme, the UK will be required to contribute financially to the EU budget. The sum is estimated to be almost €2.6 billion per year, on average. Under the agreement, the UK will be subject to all the safeguards of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
"We have worked with our EU partners to make sure that this is the right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said after the announcement.
Key strategic partners and allies
Despite the significant cost, Sunak spoke of "new financial protections for the British taxpayer", especially in the first years of association. This means, for example, that the UK will be compensated if British scientists receive less money than the UK puts into the programme.
Prime Minister Sunak welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Windsor in February 2023. Credit: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street
"The EU and UK are key strategic partners and allies and today's agreement proves that point. We will continue to be at the forefront of global science and research," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
Under the deal, UK scientists will have access to the world’s largest research collaboration programme on equal terms with researchers and organisations from EU Member States. Horizon Europe is the world's biggest civil research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion from the EU alone, coupled with the contributions of associated countries.
The agreement on the Windsor Framework earlier this year has opened a new chapter in EU-UK relations, by re-establishing mutual trust lost under the previous British administrations.
Today's political agreement must now be approved by the Council before being formally adopted in the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programmes.
