From the Guardian · · 2m
Britain open to paying EU for electricity market access
UK minister says government willing to discuss contributions to EU infrastructure schemes in return for joining the European electricity market.
In brief
UK minister says government willing to discuss contributions to EU infrastructure schemes in return for joining the European electricity market. Britain is willing to discuss paying into EU infrastructure schemes to access the European electricity market, though it has not accepted the principle of linking the two…
UK signals openness to EU payments
Britain is willing to discuss paying towards infrastructure schemes in poorer EU regions in return for access to the European electricity market, according to Hamish Falconer, the cabinet minister in charge of EU talks.
Five EU leaders set condition
This weekend five European leaders welcomed the UK's desire to join the European electricity market but said Britain would have to pay into a so-called cohesion fund in order to do so.
UK has not accepted the principle
UK officials say they do not accept the link between electricity reforms and the cohesion fund.Falconer said: We have not accepted that principle.
“We have not accepted that principle”
Falconer: talks will happen after summit
Hamish Falconer told the Guardian he was sure the two sides would discuss the issue after this month's summit, as ministers look to deepen ties with the union over the next few years.
Burnham wants closer EU relationship
Andy Burnham, the prime minister, has said he wants a much closer relationship with the EU in the future, even raising the possibility of rejoining as a full member.
Defence fund talks collapsed last year
Last year, negotiations on Britain's entry into the EU's one hundred fifty billion euros defence fund collapsed after a dispute over the UK's contribution.
Falconer hopes for future defence fund
Falconer said: I think it's a real shame that the UK was not part of that scheme.
“I think it's a real shame that the UK was not part of that scheme”
Erasmus+ returns next year
Falconer was firmly positive about the UK's return next year to the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme, which the UK left under Boris Johnson's Brexit deal in twenty twenty.
Falconer rejects Farage's immigration concerns
Falconer rejected Nigel Farage's criticisms of Erasmus and youth mobility scheme as opening the door to uncontrolled immigration. He said: I think honestly Nigel Farage is being a big old grinch about this.
“I think honestly Nigel Farage is being a big old grinch about this”
What to remember
Britain is willing to discuss paying into EU infrastructure schemes to access the European electricity market, though it has not accepted the principle of linking the two.
