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Aparna A Nair
25 May 2025 |
The following note was first published as a part of The World This Week #312 Vol 7, No 21, 25 May 2025
UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
Aparna A Nair
What happened?
On 19 May, UK PM (Keir Starmer), European Council President (Antonio Costa) and European Commission President (Ursula von der Leyen) met in London for a summit. It was the first post-BREXIT summit to “reset” relations between the UK and the EU. President Costa commented “This summit marks a new chapter in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.” While Ursula von der Leyen stated that,” At a time of global instability, and when our continent faces the greatest threat it has for generations, we in Europe stick together,” the UK opposition conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch called it a sellout.
The summit resulted in three documents- a joint statement, a security and defence partnership and a common understanding on a renewed agenda for European Union-United Kingdom cooperation. According to the security and defence partnership, the UK will have access to 150 billion euros of the European Defence Fund, and it may participate in EU civilian and military crisis missions and engage in joint procurement of defence. The common understanding of a renewed agenda for European Union-United Kingdom cooperation emphasised commitment to security, defence and development cooperation, people-centred policies, strengthening economies while protecting the planet and its resources and on internal security, judicial cooperation and irregular migration. Additionally, the new sanitary and phytosanitary deal was reached to prevent unnecessary border checks on agricultural produce under a food standard deal. The youth mobility scheme will allow under-30s to travel, work, and study across the UK and the EU for limited periods. Agreements have been reached to extend full reciprocal access to waters for fish until 30 June 2028.
What is the background?
First, the importance of the meeting, after post-Brexit tensions. The summit was the first between the UK and the EU post-BREXIT. It followed six months of structured negotiations after Kier Starmer took office in July 2024. After BREXIT, there were tensions between the two, including legal battles over issues like the Northern Ireland protocol, fishing rights, and regulatory divergence. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed in 2020 left many areas unresolved or inadequately governed. It includes cross-border trade, food safety standards and services.
Second, the change in UK leadership in 2024 and the new approach towards EU. Unlike previous conservative leaders, Stammer was not interested to relitigate Brexit and support rejoining the EU. His approach aimed to rebuild trust, reduce trade friction, and promote cooperation in specific sectors to address the economic challenges faced in the UK, such as lower trade and investment, food inflation, and the decline of public services.
Third, trade and economic concerns. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, total UK goods exports to the EU reduced by 12 per cent in 2023 compared to 2019. Small businesses faced challenges due to the increased red tape and trade barriers post-BREXIT. The young citizens were affected by the loss of Erasmus opportunities and job market access post-Brexit.
Fourth, the larger regional security environment amidst Trump’s skepticism towards the NATO. The summit took place in two significant development having a long term implications for Europe. The conflict in Ukraine and uncertainties in the US commitment to NATO under the President Donald Trump administration calls for the need for a unified European response.
What does it mean?
The summit is a good start to reset the relationship between UK and EU. After years of friction, the UK and EU demonstrated a willingness to engage and resolve disputes. The agreements reached over defence and security, sanitary and phytosanitary deals and youth mobility indicate that both sides prioritize practical solutions over ideological disputes. This reset offers a foundation to stabilize the UK-EU relationship in a way that balances sovereignty and cooperation.
About the author
Aparna A Nair is enrolled at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College.
