Summary
On May 19, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government and EU leaders will hold a summit in London to sign agreements aimed at strengthening UK-EU relations post-Brexit, including a declaration of common principles, a security and defence pact, and discussions on Brexit-related issues. The UK’s military capabilities are seen as vital for EU defence efforts, although immediate access to EU funds will require further negotiations. Both sides face domestic political pressures that hinder progress, yet the agreements could pave the way for deeper cooperation on trade, energy, and AI regulation.