- Sadiq to discuss security in both cities in wake of Westminster attacks
- Theresa May to trigger Article 50 during visit
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will visit Brussels and Paris this week to make the case that, despite Brexit, London remains open to business, investment, talent and ideas.
Sadiq will give a keynote speech in Brussels tomorrow (Tuesday 28 March) and have a series of key meetings with leading politicians and officials in both capitals in a bid to strengthen economic, business and security ties between them and London.
Theresa May is set to trigger Article 50, beginning the formal process of Britain leaving the EU, on Wednesday 29 March, when the Mayor will be in Paris.
In the light of last week’s terrorist attack in Westminster, in which four innocent people were killed, Sadiq will also hold high-level talks on security co-operation. Both Brussels and Paris have been hit by terrorist attacks in the last 18 months.
In the Belgian capital, Sadiq is meeting Sir Julian King, Britain’s EU commissioner, who holds the commission’s security portfolio. The following day, in Paris, the Mayor will hold talks with Matthias Fekl, France’s Interior Minister, who has responsibility for security.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This will be a vital chance to strengthen London’s ties still further with Paris and Brussels. I will be meeting politicians, officials and business leaders, and I look forward to discussing a variety of key issues with them – ranging from Brexit and expanding London’s economy, to air quality, social integration – and security.
“Both Brussels and Paris have, of course, been the victim of recent terror atrocities. In the wake of the horrific attack in Westminster last week it will be an opportunity to learn from each other and to show solidarity in the face of this evil assault on our shared values and way of life.
“Like the people of Brussels, and Parisians, Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.”
Following his arrival in Brussels, on Monday evening (27 March) the Mayor will meet with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. The following day (28 March), just one day before the Prime Minister is expected to trigger Article 50, the Mayor will meet several more senior representatives of the EU including the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.
Sadiq will also deliver the keynote speech to a ‘New European Order’ conference, organised by Politico, which will be attended by political and business representatives.
The Mayor has called on the Prime Minister to give an immediate cast-iron guarantee to EU nationals that they can stay in the UK after Brexit. Sadiq wants a unilateral pledge, protecting the 3.3million EU citizens who currently live in Britain (one million in London alone), to be given as soon as Theresa May triggers Article 50.
A packed itinerary in Paris will include a joint announcement of a major new initiative on air quality with Sadiq’s counterpart, Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Notes to editors
- The original plan for the trip also included legs in Berlin, Madrid and Warsaw. However, given the tragic events in Westminster last week, the trip was scaled back. The Mayor hopes that visits to those cities will be able to be rearranged for a later date.