This is seen as a positive shift that would benefit both sides, although the process of mending relations, which have been marked by tension and mistrust during years of separation, is expected to be far from easy.
Several positive signals in UK-EU relations have emerged ahead of the bilateral summit scheduled to take place in Brussels, Belgium, on November 20. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the time had come for the UK and the EU to establish a new roadmap for cooperation, helping to reduce costs for farmers and food producers while bringing down the prices of goods on both sides.
UK Finance Minister John Healey said the UK was seeking agreements on food and agriculture to reduce costs for businesses. These conciliatory statements not only create favourable conditions for reaching agreements at the summit but also reflect Burnham's determination to address the difficulties arising from Brexit. He has repeatedly stressed that delivering tangible benefits to the public remains a priority.
More than a decade after the referendum on the UK's departure from the EU, the two sides have come to recognise the cost of separation. For the UK, Brexit has cost businesses around 37 billion GBP a year as trade with the EU has declined. For the EU, Britain's departure from the bloc also meant losing a member with considerable economic strength and security capabilities. Improving bilateral relations has therefore become a practical necessity for both the UK and the EU, particularly amid the mounting instability across Europe. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have also had some impact on the development of both sides.
Opinion polls indicate that the majority of people in the UK regret the decision to leave the EU, prompting scepticism about the prospect of the country rejoining the bloc. However, such a scenario is considered unlikely given the considerable political and legal complexities involved in re-accession. The UK Prime Minister said that, at present, Britain remains a long way from the goal of rejoining the EU but that both sides needed to take practical steps to improve existing agreements and make them work more effectively.
The first UK-EU summit, held in London in May 2025, was regarded as an important milestone in efforts to improve bilateral relations. Building on these efforts to “reset” ties, the two sides are seeking to reach three key agreements at the forthcoming second summit in Brussels: simplifying procedures for food exports, linking their emissions trading systems, and establishing a youth exchange programme.
These developments demonstrate the political commitment on both sides and provide momentum for the UK and the EU to move towards a new model of cooperation. However, negotiations still face several outstanding issues, including the EU's proposal to allow European students to study at UK universities at preferential tuition rates.
British officials acknowledge that negotiations could continue right up to the forthcoming summit. Within British politics, there are also differing views on how closely London should align itself with Brussels. On the EU side, the bloc is focusing its efforts to address internal challenges, including geopolitical conflicts and economic competition, meaning that negotiations with the UK are not among its top priorities.
Despite the many challenges ahead, the UK and the EU are continuing their efforts to mend their strained relationship, accepting Brexit as part of history while hoping to secure meaningful agreements that will deliver economic benefits in the future.
This would also strengthen Europe's capacity to withstand challenges in an increasingly competitive and unstable world. A vision and objectives for bilateral relations have been set out; what matters now is for both sides to translate them into concrete action through sustained and consistent efforts.
