By Kavita Mistry 
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host the first U.K.-EU Summit since Brexit, as the Labour government attempts to “reset” ties with the bloc, some nine years after the U.K. left the EU. The two sides, which will meet in London on Monday (May 19, 2025), are expected to announce a defence and security pact, agreements related to trade and a joint statement on the geopolitical situation.
In its messaging, Downing Street has linked the expected trade announcements with the last week’s comprehensive U.K.-India trade deal and U.K.-US framework trade agreement. However, the trade outcomes for Monday are expected to be smaller in scope, focusing on a few sectors.
“First India, then the United States – in the last two weeks alone that’s jobs saved, faster growth and wages rising. More money in the pockets of British working people, achieved through striking deals not striking poses,” Mr. Starmer said in a statement.
A stronger relationship U.K.-EU relationship, which Monday’s summit is hoping to achieve, would be “good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders”, he said. The summit is being held against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainly, including signs of a changing relationship between Washington and its European allies.
Several impasses remained at the 11th hour before Monday’s summit. One challenging issue has been fishing rights. France -one of the most influential EU members – has wanted an agreement to maintain current levels of access to British fishing waters extended for the long-term ( the current agreement ends in June 2026), rather than requiring annual negotiation.
Other issues being hammered out include, as per reports, a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement and a veterinary deal. Alignment on agricultural rules was a sensitive issues in the run-up to Brexit and the E.U. has wanted the U.K. to align itself to future changes in EU SPS rules as part of the current negotiations.
Monday (May 19, 2025) is also likely to see a selective easing of mobility rules between the EU and the U.K. for some professionals. The sides are reportedly still working out a youth mobility scheme, which the EU has been keen on.
Migration and mobility are sensitive issues and have occupied headlines in recent days, following the strong performance of Reform U.K., a nativist part, in local polls earlier this month. The Labour government’s positions on migration have consequently hardened; Downing Street recently announced its intention to tighten residency requirements and close or restrict certain visa routes.
The Prime Minister defended the talks around youth mobility, telling The Times on Friday that the scheme under discussion with the EU was not tantamount to “freedom of movement”. Ending free movement for EU nationals was one of the core arguments for those who championed Brexit.
The U.K. and E.U. are also discussing cooperation on illegal migration.
On defence, the U.K. is seeking access for its companies to a new €150 billion EU defence loan scheme. The U.K. and the E.U. have been cooperating closely on Ukraine, with Mr Starmer hosting European leaders in London, in March, to work out a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Published – May 18, 2025 05:45 pm IST