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EU 'could consider' UK joining pan-Europe customs scheme EU 'could consider' UK joining pan-Europe customs scheme
(about 1 hour later)
The new EU trade chief says a new customs area could be up for discussion in reset talks later this year.The new EU trade chief says a new customs area could be up for discussion in reset talks later this year.
The European Union's new trade chief responsible for post-Brexit negotiations has told the BBC that a "pan-European [customs] area is something we could consider" as part of "reset" discussions between the UK and EU.The European Union's new trade chief responsible for post-Brexit negotiations has told the BBC that a "pan-European [customs] area is something we could consider" as part of "reset" discussions between the UK and EU.
Maros Sefcovic referred to the idea of the UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM).Maros Sefcovic referred to the idea of the UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM).
These are common rules that allow parts, ingredients and materials for manufacturing supply chains to be sourced from across dozens of countries in Europe and North Africa to be used in tariff-free trade.These are common rules that allow parts, ingredients and materials for manufacturing supply chains to be sourced from across dozens of countries in Europe and North Africa to be used in tariff-free trade.
The Conservatives did not pursue PEM as part of its post-Brexit deal but some firms said it would help the UK rejoin complex supply chains that have been hit by customs barriers.The Conservatives did not pursue PEM as part of its post-Brexit deal but some firms said it would help the UK rejoin complex supply chains that have been hit by customs barriers.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Sefcovic said the idea has not been "precisely formulated" by London yet and the "ball is in the UK's court".Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Sefcovic said the idea has not been "precisely formulated" by London yet and the "ball is in the UK's court".
The BBC understands that the UK government has begun consultations with business over the benefits of the PEM plan that could help cut red tape and improve trade. No final decision has been made yet. The BBC understands that the UK government has begun consultations with business over the benefits of the PEM plan that could help cut red tape and improve trade.
No final decision has been made yet.
Mr Sefcovic also said that a full-scale veterinary agreement that helped reduce frictions on farm and food trade should also be reviewed.Mr Sefcovic also said that a full-scale veterinary agreement that helped reduce frictions on farm and food trade should also be reviewed.
Single market treatment for UK food and farm exports would mean "we would have to have the same rules and we have to upgrade them at the same time, we call it dynamic alignment", he told me.Single market treatment for UK food and farm exports would mean "we would have to have the same rules and we have to upgrade them at the same time, we call it dynamic alignment", he told me.
The EU-UK fisheries deal is also due to expire next year. "A solution for fisheries is very important for the EU, again, we communicated this on multiple occasions," Mr Sefcovic said.The EU-UK fisheries deal is also due to expire next year. "A solution for fisheries is very important for the EU, again, we communicated this on multiple occasions," Mr Sefcovic said.
Mr Sefcovic also said he was surprised that the European Commission's offer on youth exchanges had been "spun". "It's not freedom of movement. It's a bridge-building proposal. Youth mobility
"We do not want to look like the demanders here, because we believe this is good for the UK," he said He also said he was surprised at how a European Commission proposal on youth mobility had been "spun" in the UK.
The trade commissioner said UK-EU relations were "definitely" in a better place and his British counterpart Nick Thomas-Symonds was "on speed dial". The scheme would allow 18 to 30 year-olds from the EU to travel, work and study in the UK for a period, "with reciprocity for young UK nationals", according to the European Commission.
Both Labour, when it was in opposition, and the then-Tory government rejected the idea, stating that free movement within the EU had ended with Brexit.
But Mr Sefcovic said it was hoped the scheme would "build bridges for the future for the European Union and the UK".
"That was the idea," he said. "[But] we've been a little bit surprised what kind of spin it got in the UK.
"It is not freedom of movement," Mr Sefcovic added. "We have been very clear what we've been proposing."
Nevertheless, Mr Sefcovic said that relations between the UK and the EU were "definitely" in a better place and his British counterpart Nick Thomas-Symonds was "on speed dial".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attend a defence and security focused EU summit next month.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attend a defence and security focused EU summit next month.
As well as relations with the UK, Mr Sefcovic acknowledged that the EU needed to be "extremely cautious and responsible" in addressing trade with the Trump administration in Washington but said he was willing to negotiate.As well as relations with the UK, Mr Sefcovic acknowledged that the EU needed to be "extremely cautious and responsible" in addressing trade with the Trump administration in Washington but said he was willing to negotiate.
He added that while the EU did have a surplus in goods such as cars, the US had a surplus in servicesHe added that while the EU did have a surplus in goods such as cars, the US had a surplus in services