LONDON/BRUSSELS - 19 May 2025 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is today hosting the first ever summit between the United Kingdom and the European Union since Britain leaves the EU in 2020. The meeting is being held in London and is intended to symbolise the start of a new phase in relations between the former partners, according to diplomatic circles. European Union President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are attending the summit on behalf of the European Union. The meeting will focus on security cooperation, economic ties and common challenges such as migration, climate change and defence policy.
One of the main expected outcomes is the conclusion of a new security agreement, which would allow for closer exchange of intelligence, coordination in the fight against organised crime and possibly cooperation in defence projects. Prime Minister Starmer, who came to power promising a pragmatic approach to the EU, described the summit as "an opportunity to reset and rebuild trust". He stressed that the aim was not to return to EU membership but to build a stable and predictable partnership.
The European institutions are positive about the summit. "We need strong and reliable partnerships, especially with our close neighbours," Costa said. Ursula von der Leyen described the summit as a "step forward" in European-British relations. Analysts see the summit as an important signal that constructive cooperation is possible even after the difficult post-Brexit period. The outcome of the talks could have implications not only for London's relations with Brussels but also for the wider geopolitical balance in Europe.
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