ADS Group has called for a “pragmatic approach” to negotiations as the UK Government publishes a series of documents setting out its proposals for the future UK relationship with the European Union.

The 12 drafts cover a Free Trade Agreement, Air Transport Agreement and Civil Aviation Safety Agreement.

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “A pragmatic approach is needed from both the UK and the EU to reach agreement on critical issues in the short time remaining for negotiations.”

“The urgency of achieving a comprehensive deal with the EU has never been clearer. Businesses across the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries are managing the impact of the COVID-19 and it is essential we work to minimise any additional disruption at the end of the transition period.”

The documents set out a suite of proposals for the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The draft legal texts are the legal articulation of the approach and have formed the basis of discussions with the EU.

“Approach based on friendly cooperation”

A statement on the government’s website outlines that the UK is seeking the type of agreement which the EU has already concluded in recent years with Canada and other friendly countries. Proposals draw on previous EU agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, the EU/Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the EU/South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

The statement continues that the approach is based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals and is consistent with the Political Declaration agreed last October, in which both sides set the aim of concluding a ‘zero tariffs, zero quotas’ Free Trade Agreement.
The government is committed to establishing the future relationship in ways that benefit the whole of the UK and strengthen the Union.

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