On 19 May 2025, the European Union and United Kingdom’s leaders met in London for the first EU-UK summit since the UK withdrew from the EU. At the end of the meeting, the leaders adopted three documents:
- Joint Statement
- Security and Defence Partnership
- Common Understanding on a renewed agenda for European Union – United Kingdom cooperation
UK to rejoin Erasmus+
The UK and the European Commission share the view that it is in the mutual interest to deepen their people-to-people ties, particularly for the younger generation.
The European Commission and the UK should work towards a balanced youth experience scheme on terms to be mutually agreed. The scheme should facilitate the participation of young people from the European Union and the United Kingdom in various activities, such as work, studies, au-pairing, volunteering, or simply travelling. It should provide a dedicated visa path and ensure that the overall number of participants is acceptable to both sides.
Furthermore, the UK and the European Commission should work towards the association of the UK to the EU Erasmus+ programme. The specific terms of this association, including mutually agreed financial terms, should be determined as part of that process in order to ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions of and benefits to the United Kingdom. The association should be in accordance with the EU Multiannual Financial Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The European Commission and the UK recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.
For the time being, UK organisations may participate in calls for proposals under Erasmus+ only if the relevant call allows for this. The call documents will normally list the countries, which are eligible to participate in projects (and to receive funding).
UKRO will monitor this area and provide updates to its community as the UK-EU dialogue progresses in this area.
Outcome of the UK-EU Summit
UK and EU leaders agreed to a new Strategic Partnership which covers commitments on security, defence and development cooperation.
They also welcomed agreements on cooperation on maritime security and safety, and health security.
The European Commission and the UK share the view that it is in their interest to strengthen their economic relations. This involves efforts in energy cooperation, including exploring the participation of the UK and EU’s internal electricity market, continued technical regulatory exchanges on new energy technologies, working towards a common sanitary and phytosanitary area, and working towards linking UK and EU Emission Trading Systems.
Other commitments include more cooperation on internal security and judicial cooperation.
The press release and documents adopted can be accessed on the European Commission website.