Renew Europe welcomed this weeks’ landmark EU-UK summit in London and the announcement of the beginning of a reset in relations, a long-overdue and necessary first step to rebuild trust and forge a more strategic and cooperative partnership with the United Kingdom. In a world marked by increasing geopolitical tension, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Renew Europe views this agreement as a sign of a pragmatic shift towards European unity, resilience and alignment.
"This is a turning point for EU–UK relations; Britain is back as a reliable European partner. Today’s agreement reflects a shared recognition that our futures are interconnected – strategically, economically, and politically. The Defence and Security Partnership is more than symbolism; it is a clear step toward convergence between the EU and UK in a dangerous world. To borrow Churchill’s words, today must mark the end of the beginning of a reset – not the beginning of the end. We have a real opportunity to build a stronger, more prosperous future together.'' said Valérie Hayer MEP, President of Renew Europe.
In addition to defence and broader cooperation, Renew Europe also underlined the importance of progress made in key areas such as food safety (SPS), fisheries and the need for more progress on digital innovation, particularly artificial intelligence. The Group warmly welcomed the EU and UK's commitment to strengthening youth mobility, a key priority long championed by Renew Europe. The political will expressed in the joint statement marked a significant, positive step forward.
Renew Europe now calls for swift, concrete results to deliver new opportunities for young people in professional mobility, education, au pair exchanges and volunteering. They also called for all options within the Erasmus+ framework to be thoroughly explored. Renew Europe will continue to strive to create meaningful, accessible opportunities that empower the next generation of Europeans and Britons to build bridges across borders. They also aim for involvement of the European Parliament in future summits, as this is essential to ensure democratic accountability and ambition.
The Defence and Security Partnership at the heart of this reset is especially significant. It reflects the reality that Europe’s security cannot be addressed in isolation, and that the UK remains a vital partner in the broader effort to defend democratic values and international law.
“I explicitly welcome today’s agreement. It sends a clear signal – to Moscow and other authoritarian regimes alike: Europe stands united. Security is not a bargaining chip; it is a shared responsibility. The fact that the United Kingdom and the European Union are moving closer again five years after Brexit is an encouraging sign. The UK remains an integral part of Europe, especially when it comes to security, defence and the protection of our shared values. This agreement is a step in the right direction – towards greater cooperation, more stability and a strong European alliance that reaches beyond institutional boundaries," said Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann MEP (FDP, DE) Chair of the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee.
Renew Europe urged both sides to seize this momentum and build a broad, long-term partnership that reflects our shared interests and common values. In an era where global challenges demand unity, the EU and UK must lead together.