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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The United Kingdom and the European Union have signed a major new partnership agreement, resetting relations nearly a decade after the Brexit vote
• The wide-ranging deal includes a landmark defense and security pact, an extension of EU fishing rights in • British waters until 2038, and a roadmap for cooperation on energy, climate, migration, agrifood rules, and business mobility
• It represents the most comprehensive post-Brexit rapprochement to date
🔭 The context: Since the UK formally left the EU in 2020, cooperation between the two sides has remained tense, particularly over trade, Northern Ireland, and regulatory alignment
• However, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, London is now seeking to restore pragmatic ties with Brussels
• The deal follows months of backchannel diplomacy and addresses several unresolved issues, including access to shared defense infrastructure and streamlined energy integration
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The agreement reopens pathways for UK-EU cooperation on clean energy, particularly around the North Sea — a key hub for offshore wind
• By aligning with EU electricity market rules and potentially reintegrating into the single electricity market, the UK may unlock green investment opportunities and lower energy costs
• Closer ties on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards could also reduce food waste and emissions linked to cross-border delays
⏭️ What's next: Formal ratification is expected at the London summit later today
• Talks will begin shortly on technical details for SPS alignment, energy governance, and mobility frameworks
• A key flashpoint will be the UK's potential involvement in the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defense program, which will require budget negotiations
• Political resistance is expected from Eurosceptic factions in the UK, particularly over ECJ oversight and fisheries concessions
💬 One quote: “This is about bringing more good jobs, reducing prices, and reinforcing defense ties with our allies,” — UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, presenting the agreement as economically and strategically vital
📈 One stat: The new fisheries arrangement gives EU fleets 12 more years of access to British waters — three times longer than originally planned by UK negotiators
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