The new European Union Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Yukka Salovaara, has declared that Brussels is willing to engage in a new relationship with London, but initially expects Britain to determine what it wants.
Salovara is expected to play an important role in the British political debate, while the government of Andy Burnham is looking into the future of relations with the EU. Burnham has been clearer than his predecessor, Keir Starmer, that the current relationship is not functioning and that all options, including full return to the EU, must be on the table in front of the next labist election manifest.
Salovaara, 58, describes his role as a relief worker, assessing what can function and what not between the two sides. He will not be directly at the negotiating table, but says he will be very close to her.
My task is to explain London in Brussels and Brussels in London, he said, naming the United Kingdom the first and main EU partner.
Former permanent secretary in Finland’s Foreign Ministry and his country’s former ambassador to the UN, Salovaara has returned to Britain after about three decades. In 1996, as a new diplomat, he dealt with European affairs in London on the eve of Tony Blair’s coming to power.
According to him, the 1990 ‘ s were a period of optimism when global trade was growing and believed that interdependence would bring greater security. He recalls that Blair’s lab government was very close to Eurozone membership.
Currently, the issue of relations with the EU is expected to return to the spotlight. Burnham’s first summit with the EU is scheduled for November, while on the table it is expected to be topics such as food standards, links to carbon emissions trade schemes, youth movement and security.
Salvatorea stressed that improving common food standards could reduce border controls. About 60 percent of British food exports go to the EU market, while about 70 percent of food imports come from the bloc’s countries.
Meanwhile, negotiations continue on a possible scheme of youth movement, including the number of people between the ages of 18 and 30 who can participate and their right to work and study. According to European officials, London has initially proposed 50,000 seats a year, while Brussels requires 150 thousand.
As for the possibility of a British return to the EU, Salovaara said Brussels does not want to predetermine a collective stance, but expects London to hold its domestic debate.
Topi is very much in the United Kingdom field. The debate should initially take place and see the options, then the EU will be ready to engage, he said.
Salovaara acknowledged that such a fundamental change would require a broad political consensus. He also cited other alternatives to full membership, such as the single European market, customs union or new forms of associate membership.
According to him, even the relations of countries outside the EU, such as Norway, show that co-operation with the bloc can go beyond economic issues and include political and security areas. /Telegraphy/