The EU and the UK have announced a deal to “reset” their relationship at a summit held in London between British Prime Minister Sir Keel Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Here are the key points:
Defense and security agreement
Six months of foreign and security "policy dialogue" between the British Foreign Secretary and the EU's top foreign minister, as well as regular invitations to the UK to attend high-level EU meetings, including the European Council.
Under the EU’s common security and defense policy, the annual EU defense dialogue and the potential of the UK to participate in crisis management exercises.
Deeper cooperation and information exchange on space, cybersecurity and the so-called "shadow fleet" are used to violate sanctions by Russia, Iran and others.
Personnel training is exchanged through the EU and the UK’s respective defense academies.
The agreement is that under the premise that the UK signs a third country agreement, the UK can participate in a loan fund of 150 billion euros supported by the group's common budget.
Fisheries Agreement
From 1 July 2025 to June 2038, a 12-year agreement will ensure EU ships travel to British waters.
The agreement is for EU fishing boats to continue their journey to the UK's 6-12 miles of coastal waters.
The visit will be based on the average tonnage captured between 200 miles of exclusive economic areas in 2012-16.
Veterinary Agreement
A deal was reached that would mean that “the vast majority” of agricultural communities would be exported to the EU without checks and certificates. The deal requires both parties to adopt "same rules", which means the UK will automatically follow EU rules regarding animal and plant products, called "dynamic alignment".
The agreement is covered by an independent arbitration mechanism to resolve disputes, but the European Court remains the last arbitrator of any point in EU law.
The UK will make “appropriate financial contributions” to cover the cost of implementing the transaction.
Youth Mobility, Business Mobility and Tourism Artists
The EU and the UK have agreed to “work hard” on a youth experience program for young people aged 18 to 30 to travel and work more easily in each other’s countries.
There are time-limited plans, special visa paths, and ensuring the total number of participants is "acceptable to both parties".
Agree to "work hard" the Erasmus+ student exchange program of the UK's re-joining EU.
The EU will "continue to support" the touring artists working in the group, but the UK's request for a special agreement has not been approved. The agreement discusses easier business visas and mutually recognised professional qualification systems.
The EU said that when the group's entry/exit visa exemption scheme takes effect, using the e-net means that there are "no legal barriers" to British citizens.
Energy trade and carbon border tax
The EU has pledged to explore UK participation in the EU's internal energy markets blocked by Brexit, while current energy trading arrangements continue.
The EU and the UK have agreed to explore reconnecting their respective emissions trading plans, which were cut off by Brexit. If you do so, the UK will exempt the EU carbon border tax that will come into effect on January 1, 2026, the year before the UK's own plan.
The EU will need to be “dynamic in line” with EU rules, which is the condition for any reconnection of the energy market. The UK will also make unspecified financial contributions.
Secure exchanges and border security
Ensure the finalization of arrangements for cooperation with Europol “quickly”, which are part of Europol.
Agree to “mutually beneficial” information on terrorism and other serious crimes and “deep cooperation in the areas of smuggling and other irregular immigration.”
The EU agreed to “exploring ways” to deepen cooperation and exchange information databases on DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data faster.
Ensure "Sharing Best Practices" how to manage the returns of irregular immigration to third countries.