Cities and regions from across the European Union and the United Kingdom called for deeper cooperation and a stronger role for local and regional authorities in shaping the future EU–UK partnership, during the 13th meeting of the CoR–UK Contact Group held at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels. With the 2026 review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) approaching and cooperation expanding in areas such as energy, emissions trading and youth mobility, members stressed the added value of having that cities and regions engaged in discussions on the future direction of EU–UK relations.
Participants took stock of recent developments following the May 2025 EU–UK Summit and the ongoing political “reset” aimed at fostering closer and more structured cooperation between the EU and the UK. Discussions focused on areas where cooperation is intensifying, including energy and electricity market integration, the potential linking of emissions trading systems (ETS), and youth and student mobility. Members highlighted that local and regional authorities are often the first to experience the real-life consequences of EU–UK cooperation frameworks and therefore play a key role in shaping practical and effective solutions.
Jimmy McClearn, Councillor of Galway County Council, addressed the ongoing debate around the Windsor Framework and its practical implementation. While recognising the political sensitivities surrounding the arrangement, he pointed to the need to address administrative complexities affecting communities and businesses. He said “Not everybody is happy with the Windsor Agreement… but surely, if there’s such complexity of paperwork… are we in a position to look at the complexities of it and to simplify it?” He noted that while the framework remains in place, efforts should focus on simplifying procedures and ensuring that its implementation works effectively on the ground.
Noel Formosa, Vice-President of the Gozo Region and Mayor of San Lawrenz, highlighted the importance of ensuring that local and regional authorities play an integral role in the future development of EU–UK relations, particularly in view of the upcoming review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Drawing on the practical experience of regions and municipalities, he stressed that their insights can help shape more effective cooperation frameworks that respond to the needs of citizens and local economies. In this sense, Mr. Formosa appealed to the European Commission for the CoR's role to be recognised in this regard.
During the meeting, Jan-Hendrik Dopheide, Member of the Cabinet of European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, provided an update on the current state of EU–UK relations. He underlined that the Withdrawal Agreement – including the Windsor Framework – and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement remain the cornerstones of the EU–UK relationship, noting that both agreements are functioning well. He also highlighted several areas where the EU and the UK are working towards deeper cooperation, including the linking of emissions trading systems, youth exchange schemes, and the possibility of UK participation in the EU’s electricity market.
Participants further discussed ways to strengthen the local and regional dimension in EU–UK parliamentary cooperation, building on the conclusions of the previous Contact Group meeting in London and ongoing discussions within the EU–UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly. The debate explored practical avenues for cooperation based on the results of a 2026 survey identifying obstacles and priorities for EU–UK cooperation from a local and regional perspective.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of views with John Moran, Mayor of Limerick, who shared insights from a city-level perspective on EU–UK relations and emphasised the importance of maintaining strong partnerships between cities and regions on both sides of the Channel.