At the ‘General Affairs’ Council on Tuesday 26 May, the European Affairs Ministers of the EU27 demonstrated “their clear desire” to continue good cooperation with the United Kingdom, according to the Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, while the current Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is in turmoil following his defeat in the local elections on 7 May.
“We want to strengthen the bilateral strategy”, summed up European Commissioner Michael McGrath, saying that Keir Starmer’s attendance at the last meeting of the European Political Community in Yerevan on 5 May had further strengthened ties.
During their exchange of views, which lasted around an hour, the Ministers took note of the implementation of the new agenda agreed on 19 May 2025 in London at the Summit to relaunch relations between the two parties.
“Tangible progress has been made under the Cyprus Presidency”, said the Deputy Minister, citing the agreement on Gibraltar and the mandates given to the Commission to negotiate an agreement on electricity and the country’s contribution to cohesion policy.
Negotiations are also underway on an agreement to remove barriers to trade for British food exports to the EU.
However, no date for a new Summit has been put forward, given the internal political difficulties in the UK. However, the Cyprus Presidency hopes that it will be held under its mandate.
“There are a number of items on the table that are very positive. These include plant health and food controls, the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Youth Experience Scheme. The work is ongoing and we consider its conclusion to be a priority”, said the Irish Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne. “We therefore hope that this work will progress and that we will be able to reach a conclusion in July. But there is still a lot of work to be done”.
If “we can reach agreement on these items, it will have significant benefits for the British, the Irish, and Europeans. The Youth Experience Scheme, although less relevant to Ireland, will also be of great benefit to young Europeans and young Britons”, added the Minister, when asked about a possible change of government in London. “These benefits will be self-evident and I doubt any government would want to undo them”. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)