UK proposes statement of shared values with EU, document shows

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By Lili Bayer

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Britain has proposed a broad statement of shared values with the European Union that emphasises support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the Paris Climate Agreement and open and free trade, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.

The document, shared with EU members in recent days, is framed as a “geopolitical preamble” to a new strategic partnership between Britain and the EU, which both sides aim to agree at a summit in London on May 19.

Although it does not mention the Trump administration by name, several elements of the text present a striking contrast to current U.S. policies. The new partnership is intended to signal a reset of EU-UK relations following Brexit.

U.S. proposals on ending the war in Ukraine have called for Washington’s recognition of Moscow’s control over Crimea as well as de facto recognition of Russia’s hold on other parts of Ukraine, an option which leading European capitals have opposed.

“We reaffirmed our continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” Britain wrote in the draft.

“We confirmed our shared principles of maintaining global economic stability and our mutual commitment to free and open trade,” the draft noted, adding that the sides will continue working “on how we can mitigate the impact of fluctuations in the global economic order”.

The document reiterates that Britain and the EU are committed to multilateralism.

“We remain committed to keeping the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C within reach,” it said.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray; Editing by GV De Clercq and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)