Britain set to demand eu repayment in brexit satellite row
A fascinating topic!
It appears that the UK is seeking to recover a significant amount of money from the European Union (EU) in a dispute over a satellite project. Here's a summary of the situation:
Background: The UK and the EU had jointly funded a satellite project called Galileo, which was intended to provide a European alternative to the US-based Global Positioning System (GPS). The project was launched in 2002, and the UK contributed around €1.4 billion (approximately £1.2 billion) to the project.
Dispute: After the UK's departure from the EU (Brexit), the UK government claimed that the EU had failed to meet its obligations under the Galileo agreement, including the provision of a "fair and reasonable" share of the project's costs. The UK argued that it was entitled to a refund of its contribution, which it estimated to be around £1.2 billion.
EU response: The EU has rejected the UK's claim, arguing that the UK's contribution was a "voluntary" one and that the UK had agreed to the terms of the Galileo agreement. The EU has also suggested that the UK's claim is not valid under international law.
UK's response: The UK government has threatened to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) if the EU does not agree to a settlement. The UK has also suggested that it may seek to recover its contribution through other means, such as by withholding funding for other EU projects.
Implications: The dispute has significant implications for the UK's relationship with the EU, particularly in the areas of trade and cooperation. If the UK is unable to recover its contribution, it may lead to a deterioration in relations between the two sides.
Timeline: The dispute is ongoing, and it is unclear when a resolution will be reached. The UK has given the EU until the end of 2022 to respond to its claim, and if no agreement is reached, the UK may take the dispute to the ICJ.
Overall, the dispute highlights the complexities and challenges of Brexit, particularly in areas where the UK and the EU have joint commitments and obligations.