Starmer Charts New Course: UK-EU Summit Targets Trade, Borders, and Youth Ties
Updated: May 18, 2025 15:01
Image Source: Politico.eu
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host the first post-Brexit UK-EU summit on Monday, aiming to secure a practical deal that will reboot relations and address key post-Brexit challenges. The summit will likely see deals making food trading simpler and fewer red-tape obstacles for British businesses, as well as measures to cushion the blow of the Irish Sea border. There is also talk of a youth mobility plan in the pipeline, offering new opportunities for young people without breaching Labour's red lines.
Starmer's government insists that the deal will boost growth, jobs, and control of the border, and deal with domestic costs and trust in UK-EU cooperation. However, talks are tense, with points on fishing limits, fees for EU students, and the extent of caps on mobility. The summit also includes shared declarations on foreign affairs and security, which will guarantee shared priorities like support for Ukraine.