Britain and the EU are currently engaged in intense negotiations on various aspects of their redefined relationship, such as fisheries, food trade, and youth mobility, ahead of their first joint summit post-Brexit.
The summit, set to take place at Lancaster House in London on Monday, will witness the signing of a security and defence partnership, marking a significant shift in relations. However, discussions in Brussels continued late into Sunday night to finalize other crucial details.
The EU has proposed a new trade agreement to reduce barriers in agrifood trade with Britain, but with the condition that the current deal allowing EU fishing vessels access to UK waters is extended for a 10-year period. Downing Street, previously offering a five-year extension, refrained from commenting on the EU’s proposal, citing concerns about potential backlash from British fishermen.
Despite the challenging negotiations, there is optimism for a resolution, with a senior EU diplomat expressing confidence in reaching a deal even if it requires prolonged discussions. The summit is scheduled to commence at 10 am on Monday, with EU ambassadors convening early to review the outcomes of the ongoing negotiations.
While progress has been made in certain areas, both sides acknowledge the complexity of the discussions. The details of the EU-UK deal hold significant political sensitivity, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch cautioning against any compromise on British interests.
On the agenda are also issues related to enhancing economic cooperation, aligning with EU regulations on food trade, and establishing a youth mobility scheme. The negotiations reflect the transactional nature of the current relationship between the UK and the EU.
As the discussions unfold, it is evident that finding common ground requires compromises from both parties. The final agreement, expected to be disclosed on Monday, will underscore areas of mutual agreement, signaling a step towards reconciliation post-Brexit.
Additional reporting by Barbara Moens in Brussels