From 2025, the UK and EU will hold regular summits of their leaders.

After a meeting between the EU and UK in Brussels to “reset” post-Brexit relationships, the EU and UK committed to holding the first of a series annual summits in 2019. The  meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen UK Prime Minister Sir Keir starmer stated that they “agreed to do more together, especially in promoting growth, prosperity and development”.

The two countries would also “work together to address shared challenges such as climate change, energy and security, illegal migration and strengthen our shared security and stabilty”. He said that he “put our relationship with Europe in a more stable, solid position.” It’s exactly what the British public wants.”

Starmer promised progress in the talks at the first summit, which will take place early next year. “We’ll focus on what we can achieve, not what we cannot”. He said that “it doesn’t mean things are going to be easy” and reiterated the fact that “there will be no return to freedom, no returning to the customs Union, no returning to the Single Market”. He will meet von der Leyen before the end the year.

Since the UK exited the EU in 2020 there has been an increase in regional security concerns. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a major strategic catalyst for a stronger cooperation between allies. Starmer, who won the UK general elections in July with his Labour Party, wants to form a security agreement with Brussels that covers areas like defence and energy cooperation.

Both parties have pledged to protect their “shared value” in global issues such as the Middle East conflict, migration, and climate change.

Starmer and von der Leyen backed a G7 call to condemn Iran’s attacks on Israel. Starmer urged “all parties to show restraint” and “avoid escalation”. “No one wants to see a war in the region.” Von der Leyen began the meeting by saying, “Dear Keir. In these times of uncertainty, partners who share the same values as us need to work together more closely.”

Officials on both sides cautioned that they should not expect quick results following four years of tense relationships since the UK departed the EU.

The EU and the commission will insist that the UK strictly polices trade flows between Great Britain and Northern Ireland as stipulated in the Windsor Framework, and the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Von der Leyen said, “We already have solid agreements in place.” “We should look at the possibility of more cooperation while focusing on the full implementation and faithfulness of the Windsor Framework, the TCA and the withdrawal agreement.”

A number of member states warned against the UK “picking and choosing” its policies. Starmer, in a press conference after the meeting, refused to rule out continued access to fishing water after 2026.

Starmer responded that “free movement” is a “red line”. When asked about the youth mobility deal, Starmer stated, “freedom of movement is a redline”.

Starmer met with Charles Michel, the president of the European Council who preside over EU summits and Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament.

Officials at Metsola said that they welcomed the “new tone”, but stressed the need to protect the rights of the 6 million EU citizens who are currently in the UK.