The European Union and United Kingdom will agree to hold annual summits to take stock of their bilateral relationship, according to a draft statement prepared for an upcoming summit in London seen by Reuters.

The European Union and the United Kingdom are set to hold annual summits to evaluate their evolving bilateral relationship post-Brexit. This initiative aims at solidifying their partnership while discussing global priorities such as Ukraine,

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed a new partnership with the European Union on Monday (May 19, 2025), forged at a landmark summit and opening a new chapter in ties after Britain’s acrimonious exit from the bloc five years ago.

BBC Verify has gone through the deal, picking out the potential winners and losers. Since Brexit, UK goods travelling to the EU – including food products – have faced new checks and extra paperwork.

The U.K.-EU summit’s primary focus will be defense. The U.K.’s objective is to secure a comprehensive ’Security and Defence Partnership’ with the EU, marking the beginning of a new era of closer ties on European defense, security, and cooperation.

The United Kingdom and the European Union are expected to announce new deals on fishing rights and defense cooperation as officials met in London on Monday for their first formal summit since Brexit.The government of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer,

Keir Starmer, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, will host Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, and Antonio Costa, the European Council president, as well as Kaja Kallas, the E.U.’s top diplomat, and Maros Sefcovic, the bloc’s top trade official. The event is expected to take place at Lancaster House in London.

Both parties are hopeful of reaching agreement on a security deal as Europe races to rearm over fears about Russian aggression and that President Donald Trump is uncommitted to protecting the continent.