2023-09-08 07:35:30
Step by step, relations between London and Brussels continue their post-Brexit normalization. On Thursday September 7, the British government and the European Commission announced that the United Kingdom would join the Horizon programs, for international cooperation in research, and Copernicus, the European meteorological observation satellites.
“The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom are strategic partners and allies, and this agreement proves it”rejoices Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission. “This is an agreement which will enable British scientists to take part with confidence in the largest program of research collaboration in the world”adds Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom has decided not to return to Euratom, which excludes its participation in Iter, the nuclear fusion research program. He has “decided to pursue its own strategy” in this area, explains Downing Street.
Widespread relief
The scientific world breathes a general sigh of relief. “Allowing our scientists to work together, regardless of borders, is in everyone’s interest”, estimates Sally Mapstone, who runs Universities UK, a network representing the country’s 142 universities. She cites research programs on the detection of ovarian cancer or on green energy, in which British laboratories will once once more be able to participate. Paul Stewart, from the British Academy of Medical Sciences, celebrates a “turning point for British science”following a “gap” caused by Brexit. Since 2020, British laboratories have no longer had access to subsidies from Horizon, whose budget for 2021-2027 is 95 billion euros.
Theoretically, Brexit has never prevented the United Kingdom from remaining in these programs. Horizon already has seventeen countries outside the EU that are “associate members”, including Norway, Israel and New Zealand. But at the time of the Brexit negotiations at the end of 2020, political tensions were such that it was not possible to find an agreement on the subject.
The entire scientific community, both European and British, regretted it. The British are among the best universities in the world and they are at the forefront on subjects such as health and the environment.
The political unblocking came from the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, always quick to fan the anti-European fire, and the coming to power of Rishi Sunak in October 2022. The new leader of the British government hitched to the main blocking point: Northern Ireland.
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