In a move to revitalize relations post-Brexit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have announced a historic UK-EU summit scheduled for 2025. This announcement was made during Starmer’s first visit to Brussels since his election victory in July, marking a substantial step towards mending the strained relations between the UK and the EU.
The summit, which will be the first of its kind, signals a new era of cooperation and regular high-level engagements aimed at strengthening the ties between the two entities. Starmer underscored the importance of establishing a more stable and solid relationship with Europe, acknowledging that the negotiations ahead would be challenging but necessary. He emphasized that while the UK will stand firm on key issues such as freedom of movement, the customs union, and the single market, the goal is to find constructive ways to work together without compromising these core positions.
The upcoming summit is part of a broader effort to reset UK-EU relations, which have been marred by years of animosity following Brexit. Formal negotiations are expected to commence between December and January, with both UK and EU diplomats highlighting 2025 as a critical year for securing agreements. There is a sense of urgency, as any delay could risk losing the momentum built under the new UK administration.
The renewed commitment to cooperation will focus on several key areas, including the economy, energy, migration, and security. Both the UK and the EU are determined to make rapid progress on this agenda in the coming months. A follow-up meeting between Starmer and von der Leyen is planned for later this year to ensure continuous progress.
Starmer’s government is keen on forging closer ties through agreements on security and food checks, while adhering to its red lines regarding the single market and customs union. On the EU side, priorities include a youth mobility pact, energy cooperation, and reassurances on citizens’ rights and fisheries. Some EU member states are also pushing for a migration deal, an area where Starmer has indicated openness during the recent meeting.
This new initiative reflects a broader strategy by the UK to engage more constructively with the EU. Starmer has already begun this process by visiting key European capitals, including Berlin and Paris, to build trust with German and French leaders. His administration’s approach is centered on delivering tangible outcomes rather than engaging in public posturing, as Starmer emphasized the need to “focus on deliverables rather than charging to the nearest camera with a megaphone”.
In addition to the UK-EU summit, Starmer has also been working to strengthen relations with other European countries, such as Ireland. He and Irish Premier Simon Harris have agreed on the themes and structures for an annual summit starting in March 2025, which will cover areas like security, justice, climate, energy technology, growth, trade, and cultural connections. This reset in British-Irish relations is seen as a significant step towards fostering closer cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations.
