The ECR Group in the European Committee of the Regions "very much welcomes the new EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal", which Pavel Branda, ECR Member, described as "the most comprehensive one that the EU has with any sovereign country". Continued cooperation with the UK on many essential areas of common interest such as "cross-border crime and terrorism" is very "reassuring and promising", he highlighted.

However, for the Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Rádlo in the Czech Republic, he expressed his disappointment that "although there is a reference to continuing dialogue between governments of the EU and UK and civil society in the agreement, there is bare, if any at all, reference to local government".

During the debate with Clara Martinez Alberola, Deputy Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, Mr Branda called on the European Commission to include in the Agreement a provision in its article 7 "ensuring that not only civil society but also local and regional authorities must be consulted in the process of its implementation".

He concluded by referring to the Contact Group that was established between the European Committee of the Regions with the United Kingdom in which local associations and devolved administrations from the UK and members of the CoR take part. Mr Branda urged for this body to be "recognised by the European Commission and the UK Government".

The debate took place on 2 February as part of the CoR's Bureau meeting in the framework of the February plenary session.