Today, the European Union and the United Kingdom opened a new chapter in their relations at the summit, sealing ambitious agreements to enhance prosperity and strengthen cooperation.
The summit in London brought together European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The agreements include a Security and Defence Partnership tailored to the current geopolitical landscape.
This partnership allows the UK to participate in joint procurement actions under the SAFE instrument. Through SAFE, the Commission will raise up to €150 billion for investment in joint procurement projects, with partners like the UK joining the efforts.
The partnership also enables British companies to partake in these joint procurements.
During the closing press conference, President von der Leyen highlighted this significant achievement, particularly for its potential to aid Ukraine. “It creates new opportunities and, as I mentioned, facilitates stronger, coordinated support for Ukraine,” the President stated.
Additionally, the EU and UK achieved agreements on economic fronts that foster prosperity and address climate change.
Both parties agreed on mutual access for fishers until 2038 and continuing tariff-free trade in steel products.
They are also negotiating a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement to reduce administrative burdens for exporters.
In energy and climate, the partners aim for UK participation in the EUs electricity market and linking their emissions trading systems.
People-to-people exchanges are vital for the EU. As President von der Leyen noted: “Millions of families and friendships exist across the Channel. I am delighted that we have agreed on Erasmus+ for young people and will work on a youth experience scheme,” said the President.
This new scheme will have age and duration limits and specific conditions.
The leaders thanked each other for the cooperation and expressed a desire to maximize the benefits of this new relationship phase.
They announced that from this year, annual bilateral summits at leaders level will occur, with the EU High Representative and UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries meeting every six months.
More information
Remarks by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference
Questions and answers on the package agreed at EU-UK Summit
Security and Defence Partnership
EU-UK Summit page on the Councils website
Audiovisual coverage of the summit