19 April 2025 - Kier Starmer to host first EU-UK summit since Brexit
Breakthrough in UK-EU Brexit reset talks before summit
Peter Walker, Jessica Elgot and Lisa O'Carroll (The Guardian, 19/05/2025)
The UK and EU have reached a last-minute deal over a significant reset to relations after a breakthrough over fishing rights and checks on food and other agricultural products. Under the agreement, finalised just a few hours before a crunch summit in London, Brussels is understood to have dropped demands to link the duration of an agreement over food and agricultural goods with fishing rights. According to EU sources, access to British fishing waters will be granted until the end of June 2038, an extension of 12 years. In return, the agreement on easier checks for food, animal and other agricultural products, known as sanitary and phytosanitary goods (SPS), is indefinite.
UK and EU agree post-Brexit reset after ‘breakthrough’ in talks
Andy Bounds and George Parker (The Irish Times, 19/05/2025)
The UK and EU have agreed a historic post-Brexit reset of relations after a “late breakthrough” in overnight talks ahead of a summit in London on Monday, officials on both sides said. The UK agreed to open its fishing waters for 12 more years to EU boats — a move that will be condemned by the opposition Conservatives — according to Brussels officials. In return, UK prime minister Keir Starmer has secured a veterinary deal that will remove much red tape for British farming and fisheries exports to its biggest market, in a much-sought economic prize of the “reset” talks.
5 years since Brexit, are Britain and the EU getting back together?
Tommy Meskill Tony Connelly (NPR, 19/05/2025)
As Britain and the European Union hold their first summit Monday since Brexit, analysts say it's less like a couple getting back together, and more like exes realizing they've still got to work together because of the kids. It's been nine years (2016) since Britons voted to leave the EU, and five years (2020) since the change actually kicked in. For some Brits, Brexit means the ability to control their own borders, and freedom from foreign regulation in Brussels. For others, it was an embarrassing own goal that left their economy smaller and rattled relations with their biggest trading partner.
Easing trade and signing a defence pact would be manifesto promises delivered - and Starmer could use a win
Beth Rigby (Sky News, 19/05/2025)
his EU-UK summit has for months been openly billed by Sir Keir Starmer's Downing Street as a hugely significant moment for this government. The Labour leader promised in his 2024 election manifesto that the UK would sign a new security pact with the EU to strengthen cooperation and improve the UK's trading relationship with the continent. Since winning power in July, he has embarked on a charm offensive across European capitals in a bid to secure that better post-Brexit deal.
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