Breakthrough in EU-UK talks – report
The BBC has in the meantime reported a breakthrough in EU-UK talks, citing authorities sources. We’ll convey you extra when we’ve got them.
The talks have been going down over the weekend forward of a key summit in London hosted by Keir Starmer with EU leaders on Monday, which is geared toward resetting the UK’s relationship with the bloc 5 years after Brexit.
The talks have been geared toward placing a deal to be signed on the summit and had gone down to the wire to resolve squabbling over long-standing points, together with fishing rights and a youth mobility scheme.
An settlement would mark a symbolic step in turning the web page on the animosity that adopted Britain’s exit from the bloc in January 2020.
No 10’s choice to issue a press statement on Saturday presenting the summit as a finished deal induced irritation in Brussels, prompting some to recall the mantra of Brexit negotiations: “Nothing is agreed till the whole lot is agreed.”
Key occasions
What could possibly be within the new safety and defence pact that’s prone to be introduced in the present day?
We count on an announcement on defence and safety later in the present day, which may see the UK get entry to a £125bn EU defence fund – a lift for UK defence corporations.
The fund has taken on a brand new sense of urgency since Donald Trump re-entered the White Home in January because the US president has signalled that America will not be the first guarantor of European safety.
My colleagues Jennifer Rankin and Jessica Elgot have a bit extra element in regards to the fund in this story. Right here is an extract from it:
The SAFE fund would permit EU member states to take out loans to purchase as much as €150bn of air and missile defence methods, ammunition, drones and different navy package.
It was proposed by the fee in March, as a part of a drive to increase European defence spending by €800bn amid deep shock at Donald Trump’s rush to supply concessions to Vladimir Putin in a bid to finish Russia’s conflict on Ukraine.
Reflecting the affect of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, the fund has a “purchase European” rule which means that parts from non-EU nations can solely make up 35% of the price of any venture.
That restriction is relaxed for Ukraine and any nation with a defence and safety partnership with the EU.
The Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, reviews that there was certainly a breakthrough in EU-UK talks final evening however that “there are nonetheless some steps to take”.
🇪🇺🇬🇧EU reset replace: perceive there was a late breakthrough final evening in talks between two sides to safe landmark deal, however that there are nonetheless some steps to take. https://t.co/tZFBqVIgfR
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) May 19, 2025
Breakthrough in EU-UK talks – report
The BBC has in the meantime reported a breakthrough in EU-UK talks, citing authorities sources. We’ll convey you extra when we’ve got them.
The talks have been going down over the weekend forward of a key summit in London hosted by Keir Starmer with EU leaders on Monday, which is geared toward resetting the UK’s relationship with the bloc 5 years after Brexit.
The talks have been geared toward placing a deal to be signed on the summit and had gone down to the wire to resolve squabbling over long-standing points, together with fishing rights and a youth mobility scheme.
An settlement would mark a symbolic step in turning the web page on the animosity that adopted Britain’s exit from the bloc in January 2020.
No 10’s choice to issue a press statement on Saturday presenting the summit as a finished deal induced irritation in Brussels, prompting some to recall the mantra of Brexit negotiations: “Nothing is agreed till the whole lot is agreed.”