Why fish and youth mobility is a stumbling block

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were held at the European Political Community Summit in Tilana on 16 May 2025.

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Hopefully, after the UK and the EU quickly withdraw from the EU in 2020, the UK and the European Union can finally agree to reset their relationship on Monday.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chairs the highly anticipated summit in London, amid the unpredictable global dynamics of the United States - led by the United States

Negotiations between the two sides intensified at a gathering in Lancaster House in central London, with last-minute bargains including stumbling blocks, including youth mobility programs and fishing rights.

According to Sky News, there is a "late breakout" on the EU's reset agreement, and news about the deal is expected to appear "morning and noon." Sources told CNBC's sister network, however, there are "steps still needed" to reach the deal. Sky News said talks between the teams in the UK and EU passed midnight, and one described Sunday as a "crazy" ups and downs.

The press conference will be held at 12:30 pm London time.

"The deal is likely to be a deal," Mujtaba Rahman, managing director of Eurasia Group Europe, said in an email comment before the summit.

“This, in turn, will ultimately pave the way for Britain to participate in EU security and defence policies, including defense industry policy; an agreement to eliminate friction in agricultural trade… and the role of the European Court of Justice in resolving disputes – advances in youth mobility programs and more cooperation in energy policy and carbon border taxes may be likely.”

Rahman noted that the Trump administration’s recent shift toward American isolationism to global affairs, especially those with more serious impacts on Europe, such as the Ukrainian War, is a justification for an ambitious reset.

However, the UK will also be cautious about support for the reform of the UK, the party of Brexit architect Nigel Farage.

According to YouGov Research released last week, Starmer's popularity has dropped to its lowest level, with only 23% of the British favoring the Prime Minister's opinion.

Christopher Granville, managing director of global political studies at TS Lombard, said in an email that the deal between the UK and the EU “has payments available”, but the biggest question is whether the UK government will “be balk for fear of 'reforming Britain’s fears’”.

“This will be a revelation of the political capacity of the political government a year after the huge victory of the Labor government.”

Sticky points

British leader Starmer has repeatedly said that in any deal he has reached with the group, the EU customs alliance, a single market or freedom of movement will not return, but critics have been paying close attention to the extent he sticks to the position.

Two of the biggest stumbling blocks in talks leading up to this UK-EU summit were access that EU boats have to fish in UK waters — with a post-Brexit deal on fishing rights set to expire in 2026 and France and Denmark pushing for those rights to be extended — as well as a youth mobility scheme that could enable people aged between 18 and 30 to travel and work freely between the UK and EU for a limited amount of time.

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The question of Labor government is how to agree exist Tougher issues like this, no partnership that looks like a return to Brexit.

"Keir Starmer is really in a tough position," Gesine Weber, a researcher at the Marshall Foundation in Germany, told CNBC on Monday.

"He will not want to appear too pro-European, but rejoin the EU, which is absolutely not here. He has to balance domestic politics and strike a balance between getting close and seeing where cooperation can be approved, while also reiterating some of the things the UK obviously wants to achieve through Brexit."

Weber said that despite the common threat from Russia and the common threat of Ukraine’s ongoing war, it is easier for both sides to reach consensus on security and defense, other areas of policy that have been complex may remain the same.

"These areas are fisheries, market access and economic issues, and youth mobility and freedom of movement," she told CNBC's "Early European Edition."

“It’s hard to say now that this is the result of this summit.”

Analysts at risk consulting firm Teneo will include far-reaching improvements in trade relations.

Teneo's geopolitical research team noted before the summit: "The summit declaration may include three parts: one will be symbolic, one will be substantively overwhelmed and will serve as a stepping stone toward more obvious greater cooperation."

Teneo said the insignificant part would be the extensive announcement about trade, noting that while there may be some agreements to reduce the traditional tape festival of UK exporters, significant improvements are unlikely to be made without the UK's single market membership, which is too far for the government.