European leaders are approaching the reset of relations with Britain with a pragmatic and open-minded stance, according to a senior EU official. Ahead of a meeting in Oxfordshire, they have signaled a willingness to consider a UK-EU summit in the future, underscoring their expectation for the UK to initiate steps on issues like youth mobility and citizens’ rights.
While the Labour government’s agenda to reshape relations won’t be formally discussed, Keir Starmer plans bilateral meetings with key figures such as the Irish prime minister and the French president during the summit.
“We are open-minded to see what can be achieved,” the EU official stated, emphasizing the EU’s clear demands regarding youth mobility and citizens’ rights and expressing a desire for enhanced coordination and cooperation with the UK. EU sources highlighted the importance of coordination on foreign policy and acknowledged the challenges posed by Brexit-related customs and standards requirements.
The EU reiterated that the original Brexit deal is not up for renegotiation, aligning with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s previous assurances that the UK would not re-enter the EU single market or customs union. The new EU relations minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, recently visited Brussels to initiate discussions, and meetings between EU officials and Starmer during the recent Nato summit were described as constructive.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Regarding future relations, including the possibility of a UK-EU summit, senior EU officials indicated they are not ruling out any options. The upcoming European Political Community (EPC) summit at Blenheim Palace, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to foster informal discussions among around 45 EU and non-EU leaders, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Macron’s initiative includes working groups on defense, democracy, migration, and energy, reflecting a diverse agenda aimed at strengthening bonds between leaders. Leaders are expected to discuss various ad hoc projects, including youth mobility programs like Erasmus, which many EU countries view as vital for nurturing cross-border understanding among the younger generation.
The EPC summit presents an opportunity for Starmer to potentially set a new tone on migration policies, following recent controversies. European leaders are keen to engage with the UK in a strategic relationship, provided there is mutual interest in moving forward on common goals, despite the complexities brought by Brexit.
