Brexit snub as EU leaves Britain out of Horizon initiative because bloc ‘doesn’t trust UK’ – Daily Express

Horizon Europe is the EUs key funding programme for research and innovation which aims to tackleclimate change, help to achieve the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EUs competitiveness and growth. However, a recent report has revealed the UK has been left out of the scheme despite other non-EU countries being granted associate membership on Tuesday.

Non-EU countries Georgia, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia were all granted associate membership of Horizon Europe on Tuesday.

The Telegraph has reported the EU is preventing Britain from joining because it does not trust the British Government due to the ongoing row over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

A European Commission spokesman told The Telegraph: The UKs association to Horizon Europe and other EU programmes will be finalised in due course.

This requires a level of trust that the attached conditions will be complied with.

READ MORE:Brexit Live: James Dyson furiously slams EU 'stifling innovation'

"I'm convinced that the issue of medicines could be a blueprint for how to approach and solve together the remaining outstanding issues.

The Irish government has joined many world leaders urging the UK not to trigger the article and has warned the move will likely spark retaliation from the EU which could result in a trade war.

Irelands deputy leader Leo Varadkar said last month: The message Id send to Boris Johnson is that we have an agreement in relation to Northern Ireland, we have an agreement in relation to trade with the European Union dont jeopardise it.

You were part of negotiating it, you own it, it was hard-won, its a mistake to think that by escalating tensions or by trying to withdraw from any part of it, that youll end up with a better deal: you wont.

Progress on rules restricting the flow of goods between the UK and Northern Ireland has been said to be disappointing but discussions on the issue were described as constructive.

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Brexit snub as EU leaves Britain out of Horizon initiative because bloc 'doesn't trust UK' - Daily Express