Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps he is taking in negotiations with his EU counterparts to ensure the UK’s continued membership of the European University Institute Convention.

The Government has made clear that it values international exchange and collaboration. Officials in the Department for Exiting the EU and the Department for Education have met with the EUI to hold discussions to explore options to provide continuity and ensure UK students at the EUI can complete their studies.

Should Parliament approve the deal the Prime Minister has negotiated with the EU, the UK will continue to apply the terms of the EUI Convention for the duration of the implementation period. The UK’s rights and obligations under the Convention would continue during that period, in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement. The Political Declaration sets out that we will establish general principles, terms and conditions for UK participation in EU programmes in areas of shared interest, and wider dialogues to allow us to share best practice and act together in our mutual interest. On this basis, we will explore with the European University Institute options for future participation in its activities and we will work to ensure that UK students at the EUI will be able to complete their studies.

Furthermore, UK universities will be able to continue to collaborate with the EUI in research projects even if the UK is no longer a member of the EUI Convention.