European Commission and UK government statement:
The fifth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens' Rights was held today, co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission. A number of representatives from EU Member States were also in attendance, as was the UK Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements. The Committee has been established by the Withdrawal Agreement to monitor the implementation and application of the Citizens' Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement, which protects EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, including their family members.
This was the first meeting of the Committee since the end of the transition period. The UK and EU exchanged updates on matters associated with implementation and application now that the rights under the Withdrawal Agreement are being fully relied upon. Specific attention was given to the resolution of issues affecting exercising and evidencing rights since the beginning of the year, as well as frontier workers and social security. The UK and EU reiterated the importance of delivering clear communications and support to vulnerable.
The Independent Monitoring Authority and the European Commission also presented their plans for monitoring and complaints handling for EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU.
The UK and EU have agreed that the Committee should meet at least every three months throughout 2021 and will meet again in April to produce a Joint Report on Residence. By holding regular meetings of the Committee, the UK and the EU will work to ensure the correct implementation and application of the Citizens' Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement and uphold citizens' rights.
