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European Commission - Statement
 
Readout of the meeting between President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime
Minister Boris Johnson
 
London, 8 January 2020
 
President von der Leyen met Prime Minister Boris Johnson today to frame the forthcoming discussions
on the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
In her own words, this is about « old friends, new beginnings ».
Both leaders agreed that the EU and the UK share common values and many interests, and that there
are many areas where cooperation on the global stage will be invaluable, such as climate change,
human rights, security, etc.
President von der Leyen stressed the fact that the EU fully respects the decision by the UK to leave the
EU. This decision brings with it consequences, as no relationship can be as close as being a member of
the EU.
The EU will negotiate in good faith, in the framework of the Political Declaration, with the aim of
achieving the best possible outcome. Time however is short for such an agreement to be reached and
then ratified before the end of 2020. The President made clear that there is a trade-off between any
regulatory divergence and access to the EU market.
STATEMENT/20/10 
Press contacts:
Eric MAMER (+32 2 299 40 73)
Dana SPINANT (+32 2 299 01 50)
Daniel FERRIE (+32 2 298 65 00)
General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

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