Brussels – Europe and the Arabs

In a statement distributed in Brussels, European Union institutions announced that European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Brussels on November 20, 2026, to hold the second EU-UK summit.
The statement quoted European Council President António Costa as saying: "The European Union and the United Kingdom are partners united by a shared vision, values, and interests. Our security and prosperity are deeply intertwined, making a strong partnership between us essential. By deepening our cooperation, we can better address the challenges of our time, strengthen our resilience, and foster stability in Europe and beyond."
The summit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the strategic partnership and adopt a unified stance to work together for peace and security in Europe.
Leaders will review progress made in bilateral relations since the first EU-UK summit held in London in 2025, including cooperation on defense and security, energy, agri-food product standards, climate, people-to-people ties, migration, and law enforcement. The summit will also serve as an occasion to discuss the next steps in the bilateral relationship.
The European Union and the United Kingdom are partners sharing a common vision and values; they support multilateralism and the rules-based international order, and work to promote stability and prosperity in Europe and across the globe. Consequently, the leaders are also expected to discuss global and regional issues of mutual interest.
A joint declaration is expected to be issued at the conclusion of the summit.
It is worth noting that following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union in 2020, the relationship between the two sides has been governed by a set of comprehensive agreements, including the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, the Windsor Framework, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and the agreement regarding Gibraltar. These agreements remain the cornerstone of the relationship, with both sides committed to their full and timely implementation in accordance with their spirit and provisions.
At the first EU-UK summit held on May 19, 2025, the two sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership and welcomed a renewed agenda for cooperation. The parties are now set to work together on global issues and enhance cooperation across a range of bilateral matters, serving the interests of their citizens and advancing shared objectives.