The UK could be moving towards forging stronger ties with Europe once again following its departure from the EU.
Membership of a new European ‘club of nations’ is being considered by the Government and it wants to see more detail before deciding whether to attend the first meeting to be held in Prague later this year.
The intention is to establish a forum that goes beyond the immediate 27 member states of the European Union.
The European Political Community has been proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron who has described it as a “new space” for cooperation.
Security and energy on agenda
According to the BBC, Mr Macron has suggested the group could discuss security, energy and transport as well as the movement of people.
UK officials want to see so-called “big players” from outside the EU in attendance and seek assurances that the meeting will not be too dominated by EU countries or institutions.
Wider remit for membership
All 27 members of the EU are set to be invited as well as the UK, Ukraine, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
Six Balkans nations are also likely to be invited, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Attracting UK ‘a key aim’
A provisional agenda suggests discussions would centre on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the economy and Europe’s energy crisis.
There are few details about what the community would look like in the longer term, but getting Britain around the table, to discuss core issues facing the continent is now a key aim according to some EU diplomats.
Reanda UK is a subsidiary of leading independent accountancy firm Grunberg & Co Limited. Our aim is to help businesses and individuals to navigate the UK’s world-renowned business and tax infrastructure, and to support them with their international ambitions. To find out how we can help you, please contact us.