On 19th May 2025, the UK-EU Summit was held in London, United Kingdom. The Summit was especially significant as it took place nine years after the Brexit vote and five years since the UK formally left the EU. It marked an important step towards closer cooperation and a renewed strategic partnership. António Costa, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the Summit to discuss a “reset” in the UK-EU relationship.
The Summit resulted in the adoption of three key documents: a Joint Statement, a Security and Defence Partnership, and a Common Understanding on a renewed agenda for EU-UK cooperation.
The Joint Statement outlined a new Strategic Partnership between the UK and EU, building on the foundations of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Global and strategic priorities of mutual concern were highlighted. The UK and EU leaders joined Ukraine and international partners, including the United States, in calling for a full, unconditional ceasefire and meaningful talks aimed at ending Russia’s war of aggression and restoring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
On the Middle East, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to securing an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid.
The leaders also welcomed the establishment of the Security and Defence Partnership agreed at the Summit. They recognised their shared responsibility for Europe’s security, acknowledging that the prosperity and safety of the UK and EU are closely interconnected. The Partnership envisages cooperation across a wide range of areas such as regional security, peace-building, crisis management, maritime and space security, cyber issues, countering hybrid threats, resilience of critical infrastructure, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), counter-terrorism, and preventing/countering violent extremism. The UK may also participate in EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations.
The Common Understanding on a renewed agenda for EU-UK cooperation outlined future areas of collaboration, including health security. Both sides expressed interest in strengthening people-to-people ties, especially for the younger generation. The European Commission and the UK agreed to work on a balanced youth mobility scheme to facilitate participation in work, study, volunteering, or travel for limited periods. They also discussed the UK’s possible association with the EU’s Erasmus+ programme.
Another important area was the strengthening of economic relations. Discussions included UK participation in the EU’s internal electricity market and establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area through a potential EU-UK SPS Agreement to address agri-food trade issues. They also referred to political agreements on continuing cooperation in fisheries and energy under the TCA. Notably, the UK and EU agreed to extend existing levels of EU access to UK waters for 12 more years, until 30 June 2038, beyond the transitional quota arrangement that was set to end in 2026.
Both sides also expressed intent to link their emission trading systems (UK ETS and EU ETS) to enhance carbon market cooperation. Further commitments were made to strengthen law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, as well as collaboration on irregular migration.
While some analysts believe the Summit’s conclusions represent more of a roadmap than binding legal outcomes, the importance lies in its signal of a new era in EU-UK relations. The UK has shown willingness to return to genuine collaboration with European partners, while the EU has adopted a more positive view of bilateral cooperation. The uncertain global environment, further complicated by the Trump administration’s policies, has made UK-EU cooperation more necessary. However, turning this ambitious roadmap into reality will require sustained commitment to shared values, mutual trust, and legally binding agreements, pursued incrementally.
The deal, however, has faced criticism, particularly over fishing rights. The “reset” document notes full reciprocal access to waters until 30 June 2038. This has been controversial in the UK, where fishing is politically sensitive despite being a small part of the economy. Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said the deal undermines the industry’s bargaining power, while the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations called it “very disappointing.”
In spite of this, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the deal, promising it would deliver cheaper food and energy for the British people, heralding a “win-win”. Declaring that “Britain is back on the world stage,” he highlighted benefits such as cheaper supermarket food, smoother travel in Europe with eGates, the UK’s return to Erasmus, and the creation of a youth mobility scheme. He also stated that removing restrictions on agrifood trade would boost the UK economy by £9 billion.
European leaders also hailed the deal. Ursula von der Leyen called it “a historic moment … opening a new chapter in our unique relationship.” António Costa emphasised that “The United Kingdom and the European Union are stronger when we stand together — for prosperity, for security and for peace in Europe and beyond.”
While critics like former Prime Minister Boris Johnson decried concessions, especially on fisheries, British Chancellor Rachel Reeves praised the agreement as “the best deal with the EU for any country.”
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