UK will retain our very strong ties with France

Dear British citizens living in France

As you know, the United Kingdom leaves the European Union at midnight. From tomorrow, Saturday February 1, a new chapter begins in our country’s long history – outside the European Union, but energetically involved in the affairs of Europe and the world.

Our ties with France – our neighbour, ally and friend – will remain very strong.

We leave with a Withdrawal Agreement approved by both Houses of Parliament and the European Parliament.

Your rights as UK nationals abroad are protected under this agreement. You can continue to live, work and access healthcare in France.

You can find more detail in this month’s column in The Connexion or in our “Living in Guide” at gov.uk/livinginfrance.

2020 will be another important and busy year in relations between our countries.

We will mark the 80th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation and Charles De Gaulle’s broadcast of 18th June 1940 over the BBC in London rallying the French Resistance. It will be 75 years since VE day.

We are due to hold the next France-UK summit towards the end of the year, and the 10th anniversary of the Lancaster House defence accords.

These will all be occasions to build on the very strong ties between us – as will the COP26 summit in Glasgow at the end of the year focused on the fight against climate change.

In the coming months and years, we will continue to represent your interests and raise your concerns.

The Embassy will continue to host outreach meetings across France so we can hear from you in person, with our next events taking place in Civray on February 11 and Paris on February 13.

Please stay in touch by following the British Embassy Facebook page, @BritishinFrance Twitter page and by reading my monthly Connexion column.

Ed Llewellyn

British Ambassador to France