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<p>The Government has agreed in principle the terms of the UK’s smooth and orderly
exit from the EU, as set out in the Withdrawal Agreement. The UK has also agreed with
the EU the broad terms of our future relationship as set out in the outline Political
Declaration.</p><p> </p><p>This includes a commitment to agree bilateral arrangements
with Member States to ensure the continued smooth functioning and operation of services
through the Channel Tunnel.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is engaging with a range
of European counterparts, including relevant Member States, in relation to the continued
operation of cross-border rail services, following preparations for the UK’s withdrawal
from the EU. These discussions are ongoing and include consideration of arrangements
needed both following the implementation period, as well as preparations for the unlikely
event of no deal.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to supporting the continued
success of the Channel Tunnel, including rail freight services that run through it,
and we want to see these grow in the future.</p><p> </p><p>The arrangements we are
seeking to negotiate bilaterally are intended to ensure that both current operators
of passenger and freight services, and any prospective operators seeking to run new
services in future, can do so as seamlessly as possible.</p>
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