Hamish Falconer, the UK Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, and European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič chaired a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting in Brussels on 10 November 2026, according to their joint statement. They reviewed implementation since the previous session on 2 February 2026.
Decisions adopted
The co-chairs approved three Joint Committee decisions. These deal with Social Security Coordination, Artificial Intelligence and Forced Labour. They also signed off the committee's Annual Report for 2025.
A separate EU-UK declaration on applying Windsor Framework provisions was welcomed. The statement says it makes clear that handling fees on consumer parcels would be treated in the same way as customs duties. As a result, nothing would be payable on goods remaining in the UK, while UK authorities would collect and retain any fees on goods at risk of entering the EU.
On the Cyber Resilience Act, the statement says the co-chairs will look at every option for keeping the Framework functioning well and will take any required decisions later.
Windsor Framework and Northern Ireland
Both sides restated their commitment to implement all parts of the Windsor Framework. The statement presents it as essential for avoiding any hard border across the island of Ireland, for shielding the EU Single Market, which Northern Ireland can access in a unique way, and for protecting the UK's Internal Market.
The co-chairs pointed to several gains already made. Parcels sent to consumers in Northern Ireland now move more easily, traders there have safeguarded access to steel under new measures, and duty schemes covering goods that remain within the UK have been streamlined.
Looking ahead, the two sides committed to faster delivery of Single Market safeguards across every area. They singled out sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for stronger effort, aiming to ensure all agri-foods reaching Northern Ireland comply with Windsor Framework rules. They also stressed respect for existing agreements and commitments, including on SPS.
Citizens and Cyprus
Protecting citizens' rights was described as a top priority for both parties. The Withdrawal Agreement covers almost 6 million EU citizens, the statement says, as well as 1 million UK nationals. The co-chairs underlined the need for a smooth shift from temporary to permanent residence during 2027, and pledged to intensify work on structural problems affecting people's daily lives.
On Cyprus, technical work under the Specialised Committee on the Sovereign Base Areas Protocol was discussed. The co-chairs agreed it should be completed by the next Joint Committee meeting.
They said they would keep working at pace on implementation. In their view, the Withdrawal Agreement, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the recent Gibraltar agreement provide a firm basis for closer relations ahead of the EU-UK Summit on 20 November 2026.
