Rishi Sunal has given the first and symbolic "reversal" of Brexit with the return to the EU's Horizon program, in the face of demands from British scientists and universities for the lack of funds for research.

"We have worked with the EU to reach a correct agreement for the United Kingdom," the premier said on Thursday, at the time of making public the expected announcement, with which he had been speculating for months.

"We will ensure that we open up unparalleled opportunities for research and that it will be a suitable deal for British taxpayers," Sunak said.

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The agreement effectively marks the UK's return to the EU's flagship programme of scientific collaboration. British scientists will be able to reapply for grants from a fund of almost 100,000 million euros for research, after the difficulties experienced with the consummation of Brexit that forced the closure of departments and programs in universities due to funding problems.

The deal was sealed late Wednesday by Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The pact signed with Brussels also includes the return of the United Kingdom to the EU's Copernicus satellite observation program, vital for monitoring climate change.

The United Kingdom will thus return to contribute to the budget of a community program, in an estimated amount of 3,000 million euros per year from January 2024.

"The EU and the UK are strategic partners and allies and this agreement proves that," von der Leyen said. "We will continue together on the front lines of research and science."

The agreement was celebrated by the British scientific class. "This is fantastic news not only for British scientists, but also for all Europeans," said Sir Adrian Smith, president of the Royal Society.

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