Monday’s summit aims to demonstrate the common position of London and Brussels on major global issues as the post-war world order is challenged by Moscow, Beijing, and increasingly by Washington.
The EU and the United Kingdom reached new agreements on Monday covering fishing, energy, youth mobility, and defense, following marathon negotiations that concluded just hours before the very first EU-UK summit, held Monday in London.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa were expected to agree on three documents Monday: a joint declaration on the main current geopolitical challenges, a security and defense partnership, and a common agreement.
Monday’s summit aims to show the united stance of London and Brussels on key global issues amid challenges to the post-war world order by Moscow, Beijing, and increasingly Washington.
A new definition of relations between the UK and the EU
The common agreement, which sets the framework for relations on a range of bilateral issues — including sensitive topics such as fishing rights, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules, and youth mobility — was the hardest to finalize, with negotiations continuing overnight Sunday into Monday.
Current fishing rules will expire in June 2026, and early information suggests the new agreement will extend reciprocal access to waters for fishing by five years.
“We need some certainty, we do not want things to be handled on an annual basis,” UK Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC on Monday, emphasizing that access to the EU market is “fundamental” for the British fishing industry.
Both sides stressed that the agreement is ambitious, balanced, and, most importantly, does not cross the red lines set at the start of the negotiations.
Monday’s summit — the first between London and Brussels since Brexit in 2020 — “shows we have entered a new chapter in our relationship with the UK — a neighbor, an ally, and a global partner,” said an EU official. “We are turning a page and moving towards a new strategic partnership.”
“The negotiation process leading up to this summit ran until the last minute, but talks were always conducted in good faith on both sides, and the outcome is very positive for both parties,” the official added.
Strengthening European defense
The EU and the UK will need to quickly return to the negotiating table to formalize the sectoral agreements included in the common agreement through legal accords.
The same applies to cooperation on security and defense, as the partnership concluded Monday does not yet allow the UK to participate in the EU’s SAFE program (Security Action For Europe), valued at €150 billion, which aims to boost joint procurement.
The amount the UK would need to contribute to the EU budget to participate, for example, has not yet been determined.
This instrument, part of the EU’s “Preparedness 2030” plan to strengthen the Union’s defense sector and capabilities, includes a “European preference” rule under which around 65% of purchased weapons systems must be manufactured within the EU or in third countries with which the EU has agreements.
This provision currently excludes the UK and its defense manufacturers.
