Ir Kiel Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday finalised a plan for a new UK/EU defence agreement and agreement on a sensitive area of fishing rights, paving the way for negotiations for a wider economic deal.
The British Prime Minister and the chairman of the European Commission are expected to announce the rollover of the defense and security agreements and current fishing arrangements at the May 19th summit.
Multiple officials who were described in the discussion said the defense contracts will build trust and open the door for sensitive consultations on issues such as new youth mobility schemes, energy cooperation and removal of trade barriers for food and agricultural products.
British officials said they hope that priorities will hold an hour-long consultation with London’s von der Leyen on Thursday at the margins of the International Energy Security Summit. “They have a strong personal relationship.”
The UK/EU defence agreement is considered a major award in itself by both sides, considering Russian invasion in Ukraine, but is expected to come with a document expressing cooperation in other regions on May 19th.
The troublesome issues of fishing are expected to be resolved by agreeing to continue the current fishing allocation in British waters for at least two years ©Hugh Hastings/Getty Images
“The plan is to publish documents that advance the general approach,” said one EU diplomat, who explained about the preparations for the Summit. British officials added: “May 19 will be the starting point.”
Three people familiar with the issue say that the troublesome issues of fishing are expected to be resolved by giving the certainty required by France and other coastal states for at least two years to continue the current fishing quota in British waters.
In return, the UK defence company is eligible to fund the purchase of weapons under BLOC’s European Security Action (Safety) project, accessing a potential loan of 150 billion euros on EU-backed loans.
While Brussels has engaged in non-binding security transactions with six other countries, including Norway, Albania, South Korea and Japan, UK and EU negotiators are discussing potentially deep bilateral partnerships.
The secure scheme allows EU members to reduce costs by issuing EU budget-backed bonds outside the financial caps required by Brussels. The scheme is designed to fund the purchase of weapons from EU member states and manufacturers of countries with security agreements with the EU.
Given the Russian attacks in Ukraine, the defence agreement between the EU and the UK is considered a major award by both sides ©Finnbarr Webster/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
“European defense policy cannot be considered without the UK,” said a senior EU diplomat. “That’s why the UK needs to be as securely and closely involved as Norway.”
While several member states have pressured France to agree to the deal, Paris has insisted on maintaining access to the UK fish stocks at the same level since June 2026, which took place at the time of Brexit. Some member states are still pushing for at least five years of contracts for fish.
Both sides are expected to deepen their energy cooperation, including improving electricity trading between the UK and the EU. This is likely to reflect the time it takes to build an infrastructure such as an electrical interconnector.
The Summit Declaration also sets a roadmap for future consultations regarding linking carbon emission trading systems on both sides. “There’s a general understanding that includes veterinary trade, ETS and youth mobility,” the EU diplomat said.
“It’s still a moving target, but mood music is certainly positive. There’s a credible hope that there could be a landing zone by May 19th.” Downing Street official said, “There’s a real desire on both sides.” Another senior British official gave the opportunity to trade on “75/25”.
EU diplomats said the fight over fishing rights was categorized from the security agreement’s plan, but “severe negotiations” remained over other elements of the transaction.
This includes “veterinary agreements” that will revitalize security, mobility, migration, energy markets and remove border checks for animal and plant products traded across the channel.
A key gap continues to be resolved between youth mobility and the issues of rights for artists touring the EU, a major UK demand.
However, EU officials said London has accepted the principle of “dynamic alignment.” The UK said it would automatically accept EU rules and standards and the European Court of Justice as the ultimate arbitrator on issues of EU law.
The sensitive questions about how disputes are resolved and how ECJ jurisdiction actually works should still be negotiated.
“There is a more immediate question as to how the UK will operate its application of dynamic alignment and the mechanisms that allow EU regulations to be transposed into UK law,” he added.
