EU and UK negotiators have cleared the way for a deal to restart their relationship at a summit in London today, the first since Brexit, diplomats in Brussels said today.
After final adjustments early this morning, negotiators agreed on three texts aimed at restarting EU-UK relations that have been at a standstill since Brexit in 2020, including an agreement on a defence and security partnership.
Several points are still being resolved, diplomats said, including the right to fish. Some EU countries, including France, want to keep the current status quo for as long as possible, which allows European fishermen access to British waters.
According to the draft text, the status quo would be maintained for the next 12 years, until June 30, 2038, which is three times longer than the British proposed at the start of the negotiations, diplomats said.
On the other hand, the British will be able to export their products to the European market more easily, thanks to the mutual recognition of phytosanitary standards.
However, the issue of mobility of young Europeans, especially students, to the UK has been postponed to later negotiations.
On the issue of migration, which is very sensitive for Britain, commitments have been made to work together to strengthen cooperation to reduce the flow of migrants across the Channel, diplomats said.
The UK and the European Union are holding a summit in London today, five years after Brexit, with the aim of laying the foundations for a closer relationship, particularly on defence issues. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who promised to “reset” cooperation with the EU when he took office last July, is welcoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
The summit is an opportunity for the Labour leader to flesh out his desire for rapprochement with Brussels and to end tensions between the EU and the previous Conservative government over Brexit, which took place on 31 January 2020.
Since then, the war launched by Russia in Ukraine and the risk of a US withdrawal from the European continent have strengthened the bond between London and Brussels in their desire to strengthen cooperation in the field of defence.
Beyond defence, the Labour government, which is seeking to boost trade hampered by Brexit-induced red tape, has indicated that it is open to dynamic alignment with EU standards for food and agricultural products.
