Keir Starmer will host EU leaders in May for a landmark summit aimed at strengthening UK-EU ties and exploring new avenues for cooperation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to welcome top European Union leaders to Britain in May for the first in a series of annual summits aimed at revitalising the UK's partnership with the bloc.
Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday that Starmer will host European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 19 May for high-level discussions on deepening cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for both sides.
"This first UK-EU summit is a fantastic opportunity to make real progress on issues that benefit people across the UK and Europe," a UK government spokesperson said. "It will strengthen the unique relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union."
The announcement comes fresh off Starmer’s visit to Brussels, where he became the first UK prime minister since Brexit to attend a major gathering of all 27 EU leaders, signalling that the UK is ready for a new era of constructive and pragmatic collaboration.
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No backtrack on Brexit
Determined to boost Britain's economic prospects, Starmer is eager to strike fresh agreements with the EU while maintaining key commitments.
He has been clear that the UK will not rejoin the single market or customs union, nor will it reinstate freedom of movement.
However, he is keen to enhance the current Trade and Cooperation Agreement, set for renewal in 2026, with practical improvements.
Among the potential breakthroughs are a new veterinary pact to ease British agricultural exports and a deal on mutual recognition of professional qualifications – both seen as game-changers for businesses and workers on both sides.
The EU has floated the idea of a youth mobility scheme, though the UK government has ruled it out for now.
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Trade and security
However, there is openness to joining a broader European-North African customs arrangement that could facilitate tariff-free trade for certain goods.
Fisheries, nevertheless, remain a bone of contention, with European access to British waters long being stumbling bloc, and negotiations on this front are expected to be challenging.
Topping the summit's agenda is a proposed defence and security pact – an area where both sides see clear mutual benefits and a relatively straightforward path to agreement.
With Starmer pushing for a more cooperative and forward-looking approach, the May summit could mark the beginning of a new, more productive chapter in UK-EU relations.
