On Monday 19 May, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, will welcome to London the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, and the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, for a first ever UK/EU Summit after Brexit.
The aim of this one-day summit is to confirm the closeness of the two blocs on global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the US tariff policy. Above all, however, it should serve to strengthen their partnerships, particularly in the areas of defence, trade, youth mobility and fisheries.
The aim of the summit is for the two sides to adopt a joint declaration on global issues; a common understanding that sets out the areas for renewed cooperation, in addition to a security and defence pact.
On Wednesday 14 May, however, representatives of the EU Member States were annoyed by what they saw as a new British cherry picking exercise (see EUROPE 13640/2).
So far, London has been very cautious with regard to fisheries and youth mobility, while it is calling for major gestures from the EU27 on the easing of trade controls and participation in the SAFE programme.
While the meeting of the European Political Community organised on Friday 16 May in Tirana could have provided an opportunity for bilateral discussions between Mrs von der Leyen and Mr Starmer, the ambassadors of Member States were still due to meet on Sunday 18 May to take stock of the negotiations and, if possible, to give the green light to this package of texts.
If the summit on 19 May is to be a success, these three documents must be concluded.
The delegations hope that “everything will run smoothly”, according to a diplomatic source, as some Member States have never hidden the fact that a Security and Defence Pact with the UK is a “necessity”, if only in terms of intelligence or sanctions.
The source also acknowledges, however, that the UK is trying to put pressure on Member States to weaken the EU’s position.
Another diplomatic source confirmed that these points were increasing tensions, with the UK also having difficulties with the role to be assigned to the EU Court of Justice, but did nevertheless believe that a common text could still be determined on Sunday or Monday. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with Camille Cerise Gessant)