The EU-UK summit will take place in London on Monday, during which the parties intend to sign an agreement to reset relations, which will besides include a safety cooperation agreement.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Council António Costa and Head of EU abroad Policy Kaja Kallas are expected to take part in the London summit. This event will be the first authoritative gathering of representatives of the UK and the EU since the UK left the block.
The "Reset" announced by British Prime Minister Keira Starmer aims to bring the Kingdom back to the continent after leaving the EU. The agreement will cover, inter alia, EU access to British fishing waters, migration of young people and students and food trade.
One of the main topics of the agreement is cooperation on defence and security. The details of the defence agreement have not yet been released. According to media reports, both sides will focus on NATO's future and the credibility of the US as a partner. London's access to EUR 150 billion ($68 billion) loans under the safety Action Plan in Europe (SAFE) is besides discussed. At the same time, according to media reports, France insists on limiting UK access to the fresh debt scheme. In exchange for London's access to SAFE, the EU allegedly insists on maintaining current fishing quotas in British waters for 2 years.
Brussels besides insists on concessions on access for European students to survey at British universities. The EU wants to guarantee that EU students pay the same level of tuition in the UK as its citizens. In return, the block will allegedly reduce the trade barriers that were erected after the UK left the EU. London does not want to take this step due to the fact that abroad students are a crucial origin of income for local universities.
Agricultural trade between Britain and the EU has become another key point of the agreement. Both sides want to reduce border controls and fight rising food prices. However, according to media reports, London rejected the EU's proposal to temporarily restrict the food trade agreement and "intensely" lobbies in block countries to argue the temporary restrictions of the agreement. Brussels continues to push for its position and even rejected a compromise option limited in time but renewable agreement.
Overall, differences of opinion between the parties greatly delayed the agreement on the final version of the agreement, and in the last week before the summit the media repeatedly reported that the draft communication would most likely not be agreed by Sunday – just 1 day before the summit. On Sunday, the media continued to study that negotiations would proceed until the last hours before the summit. Meanwhile, EU ambassadors met in Brussels to agree on further compromises on both sides.
A high-ranking origin on Downing Street told the Guardian paper that the agreement was "agreed in 99 percent", but "the last 1 percent is most important."
Official London has maintained its assured speech in its statements. Downing Street issued a message on Sunday stating that "the Prime Minister will deliver another agreement which is in the national interest of the country, driving economical growth, creating jobs and securing borders".
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UK and EU summits begin on Monday
