Joint Declaration 1/2025 of the Union and the United Kingdom in the Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part of 19 June 2025

## Report on Joint Declaration between the EU and the UK Regarding Energy and Raw Materials **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a Joint Declaration between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) made within the Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The declaration reaffirms the commitment of both parties to fully implement the TCA, specifically focusing on Title VIII concerning energy and raw materials. The core purpose, as inferred from the provided text, is to extend the application of Title VIII to facilitate trade and investment, ensure security of supply, and promote environmental sustainability in the energy and raw materials sectors. The key finding is that the EU and UK intend to pursue the objectives of Title VIII on a continuous basis and plan to expand its application through successive decisions made under Article 331(2) of the TCA. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a Joint Declaration between the EU and the UK regarding the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, focusing specifically on energy and raw materials. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the Joint Declaration. The aim is to inform affected industries about the scope, implications, and expected outcomes of this declaration. **3. Policy Overview:** * This report concerns a *Joint Declaration* related to the existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). * **Core Objective(s):** As stated in the provided text, the core objectives are: * To facilitate trade and investment between the EU and the UK in the areas of energy and raw materials. * To support, on a continuous basis, security of supply in the energy and raw materials sectors. * To support environmental sustainability, notably contributing to the fight against climate change in the energy and raw materials sectors. **4. Background and Rationale:** This is not a completely new policy, but rather a joint declaration regarding an existing agreement (the TCA). The rationale for this declaration, based on the provided text, is that the EU and the UK recognize the importance of continuously pursuing the objectives of Title VIII of the TCA, which deals with energy and raw materials. The text implies a need for strengthened or ongoing cooperation in these areas to ensure trade, investment, security of supply, and environmental sustainability, specifically in the context of fighting climate change. The intention to extend the application of Title VIII suggests a belief that the existing scope is insufficient to fully achieve these objectives. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * This is *not* an amendment in the traditional sense that it rewrites or alters existing clauses of a treaty or law. It's a *declaration of intent* to expand the *application* of an existing section (Title VIII) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. * **What is being changed?** The text doesn't change the wording of Title VIII itself. Instead, it expresses an intent to broaden the *application* of the existing provisions in Title VIII. * **What is the new provision?** The "new provision" is the shared political understanding that the objectives of Title VIII should be pursued on a continuous basis and that the *application* of Title VIII should be extended through successive decisions made in accordance with Article 331(2) of the TCA. In effect, the agreement is to discuss and act upon future ways to extend the reach and impact of the original Title VIII. * **Effect of the Change:** The effect of this declaration is to signal a commitment from both the EU and the UK to prioritize and deepen their cooperation on energy and raw materials. It also sets the stage for future decisions and actions under Article 331(2) of the TCA, presumably aimed at achieving the stated objectives of Title VIII more comprehensively. It does not create any immediate, legally binding changes on its own, but indicates a pathway for future legally binding changes. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this declaration include: * Businesses and industries involved in trade and investment between the EU and the UK in the areas of energy and raw materials. * Energy producers and suppliers in both the EU and the UK. * Consumers of energy and raw materials in the EU and the UK. * Organizations and entities involved in environmental sustainability and climate change initiatives within the EU and the UK. * Relevant government agencies and regulatory bodies in the EU and the UK responsible for energy, raw materials, and environmental policies. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement is the key body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the TCA, including decisions related to Title VIII. Specific government agencies in both the EU and the UK responsible for energy, raw materials, and environmental policy will likely be involved in developing and implementing future decisions. * **Timelines or procedures:** The text doesn't specify any particular timelines. However, it mentions that the extension of Title VIII will be undertaken through "successive decisions" made in accordance with Article 331(2) of the TCA. This suggests an ongoing process of discussion, negotiation, and decision-making within the Partnership Council. * The amendment (extension) will require future decisions under Article 331(2) of the TCA to implement. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this declaration is to: * Increase trade and investment between the EU and the UK in the energy and raw materials sectors. * Enhance security of supply for both the EU and the UK in these critical areas. * Strengthen cooperation on environmental sustainability and climate change initiatives related to energy and raw materials. * Create a more stable and predictable framework for businesses operating in these sectors. * The impact of this declaration is that there is now a clear statement of intent to expand cooperation regarding energy and raw materials which should allow businesses to adjust future strategies. **9. Conclusion:** The Joint Declaration between the EU and the UK signifies a continued commitment to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, specifically in the crucial areas of energy and raw materials. While not a binding change in itself, it signals an intention to deepen cooperation and expand the application of Title VIII to facilitate trade, ensure security of supply, and promote environmental sustainability. Affected industries should closely monitor future decisions and actions taken under Article 331(2) of the TCA, as these will define the specific measures and requirements arising from this declaration. The significance lies in its potential to shape the future relationship between the EU and the UK in these vital sectors.

Key Entities Referenced