Summit in UK-EU: Brussels is welcomed as “New Chapter”

“We turn the page,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday after the BLOC first summit after Brexit. “We open a new section.”

This is not the first page that was turned over after Brexit, but it is most significant.

Now both sides have concluded a transaction that covers fishing, trade, protection, energy and strengthening relations in a number of political areas that are still in talks.

For Brussels, these talks were a chance to bring Britain – the main force of defense – closer during geopolitical turbulence.

And decide what some countries -member see as an annoying hangover with Brexit.

For many years, there has been a mentality “Do not touch it” when it was a wide view of the Brexit settlement, one EU diplomat reports.

All this is due to “too big politics” with fears, everything can “go wrong”.

Remember so far 2023. Windsor Framework AgreementLondon and Brussels were drowning in a protracted dispute over trade agreements for Northern Ireland.

Then, in 2024, the new government won power in the UK – the more friendly at the EU Labor Party.

Officials in Brussels have long expressed annoyance with pre-conservative administrations, a vocal contingent that supports Brexit.

Some Brexit fans now conclude a deal, which, according to them, is the sale of sovereignty for EU bureaucrats.

Diplomats in Brussels, however, insist that this is the “normalization” of the relationship between neighbors, which still look widely in the world.

Speaking, the EU’s circles had a clear pleasure about blocking in fishing quotas for 12 years.

When I checked with one diplomat about this detail, they initially responded to emotico.

The other said: “The transaction is balanced – perhaps with favorable conditions for the EU – and simply shows that excellent isolation is not an option in the modern climate.”

Of course, the EU will want to nominate its “victories” in the negotiations with the former member states, which shook the block, leaving.

However, coastal countries – in particular France – will not yet transfer the annual negotiations on fish quotas.

The neighboring coastal states, in particular France, did not want to negotiate.

After all, I was told, Quid Pro Quo. The EU got its fishing. In return, it will be easier for the UK to export agro-industrial foods this element was not finalized.

Also still needed to iron Plans for Youth MobilizationY – that would allow young people to learn or work easier between Britain and the EU.

This was a particularly important purpose for countries such as Germany, trying to win the best access to the English -speaking country with prestigious universities.

Another key for Berlin was a new defense and security partnership.

The full -scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the unpredictable White House of Donald Trump has thwarted European security rules.

Time was something to the witchcuers – but the events of recent years also created a sense of relevance.

The best ties with Britain, which remains a major defense player, is not just a moon, as never-for mainland Europe when it tries to scale investments and opportunities.

Peoples such as Germany – which have recently reached 2% of NATO expenses – are keenly aware that they have been exposed by dramatic global developments in recent years.

But, of course, most of this transaction is in principle an agreement; A statement on intentions on issues that also vary in cybersecurity, energy and migration.

“I think it’s a good step,” another EU diplomat told me. “It is good to check the water for practical cooperation and what you can do. Let’s take it from there.”

In Brussels, there is still careful alertness against Britain and separate discussions about relations with the EU.

All the specifics that still need to be negotiated can be shaken by further political storms, whether it is political compromises or cost.

This “reset” may not change the large bases of Brexit – the UK remains in the only market and the Customs Union, but it makes London and Brussels to make much more talking when they try to fill many gaps that lie on this long list of ambitions.

This means that there will be a higher volume of diplomatic movement between the UK and the EU that is coming forward.

Doing more business with Brussels inevitably means talking more. In this regard, today is just the beginning.