Ball in UK’s court: EU ambassador says Brussels will be ‘ready to engage‘ after country decides what it wants
The new EU ambassador to the UK, Jukka Salovaara, stated that Brussels is ready to engage with the UK government once it clarifies its desired future relationship with the bloc. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled that the current post-Brexit arrangements are insufficient.
Why it matters
The future of UK-EU relations remains a critical geopolitical and economic issue for both parties.
Jukka Salovaara says the UK remains the EU’s ‘first and foremost partner’. Jukka Salovaara says the UK remains the EU’s ‘first and foremost partner’. Foreign policy Interview Ball in UK’s court: EU ambassador says Brussels will be ‘ready to engage‘ after country decides what it wants Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor Jukka Salovaara, who served in London during Cool Britannia era, will be ‘very close’ to negotiations as Burnham government resets relations with EU
Mon 5 Oct 2026 00.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google J ukka Salovaara, the newly installed European Union ambassador to the UK, is likely to become a ubiquitous figure in national politics as the Andy Burnham government grapples with the question of its future relationship with the European Union.
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