EU–UK Summit 2025: Unveiling a renewed agenda for cooperation

SUMMIT PACKAGE

What does the Summit package consist of?

There are three concrete outputs from today’s Summit:

1. EU-United Kingdom Joint Statement

2. Security and Defence Partnership between the EU and the United Kingdom

3. Common Understanding between the European Commission and the United Kingdom

In addition, the European Commission and the United Kingdom noted the political agreements leading to full reciprocal access to waters to fish until 30 June 2038 and extending energy cooperation on a continuous basis.

EXISTING AGREEMENTS

How is today’s package related to the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement?

The Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement remain the cornerstone of the EU-United Kingdom relationship. They provide a solid foundation for our cooperation across a broad range of areas.

More specifically, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement is the most ambitious agreement of its kind that the EU has concluded with a third country. It has significant further potential to be exploited.

Today the EU and the United Kingdom have renewed their commitment to the full, faithful and timely implementation of these agreements.

Today’s package builds upon this solid foundation.

CONSOLIDATION OF TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT

What has been decided on fisheries?

Today, the European Commission and the United Kingdom have reached a political agreement leading to full reciprocal access to waters beyond 30 June 2026 and until 30 June 2038. The aim is to ensure stability and predictability for fishers on both sides of the Channel.

The European Commission and the United Kingdom have committed to take the necessary steps to formalise this political agreement within a month.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement sets the rules for the sustainable management of shared fish stocks between the EU and the United Kingdom. It establishes a framework for annual consultations between the two parties to determine the volume of each shared stock (‘fishing opportunities’ or ‘TACs’). The Trade and Cooperation Agreement also sets the quota shares that the EU and the United Kingdom fishers can fish, respectively. Finally, it provides for reciprocal access to each other’s waters to fish these shared stocks.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement guarantees full reciprocal access to waters until 30 June 2026.

What has been decided on energy?

Today the European Commission and the United Kingdom have reached a political agreement to continuously extend the application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s energy title and to proceed with the first of such extensions until 31 March 2027, and on an annual basis thereafter.

The European Commission and the United Kingdom have committed to take the necessary steps to formalise this political agreement within a month.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for cooperation on energy between the EU and the United Kingdom. In particular, it sets rules to facilitate trading energy and raw materials across borders, provides for the cooperation of the EU and United Kingdom in terms of network development (especially in the North Seas Energy Cooperation) and cooperation between transmission system operators and regulators.

Under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the energy title that provides for this cooperation is due to automatically expire on 30 June 2026.

The European Commission and the United Kingdom agreed also in the Common Understanding to explore United Kingdom’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market (see below for more details).

COMMON UNDERSTANDING

What has been agreed today? 

The Common Understanding reaffirms the importance of the full, timely, and faithful implementation of the existing agreements, i.e. the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

It refers to the political agreement that has been reached between the European Commission and the United Kingdom to consolidate existing cooperation in the area of fisheries and energy (see above for more details).

The Common Understanding also identifies five broad areas of future work to strengthen EU-United Kingdom relations, in accordance with our respective procedures and legal frameworks:

• Security, defence and development cooperation.
• Putting people at the centre of the EU-United Kingdom relationship.
• Strengthening our economies while protecting our planet and its resources.
• Internal security, judicial cooperation.
• Irregular migration.

Over the past weeks, the European Commission and the United Kingdom have explored a number of areas where there is potential to strengthen cooperation. The Common Understanding is a political document that sets out the conclusions of those exploratory talks.

The European Commission will follow up swiftly on the areas identified in the Common Understanding according to the procedures set out in the EU Treaties.

On a number of key issues, such as a SPS Agreement or an ETS linkage agreement, this will require the Commission to propose a mandate and seek the authorisation of the Council to launch negotiations. The Commission’s proposals will reflect the content of the Common Understanding.

I – SECURITY, DEFENCE AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

SECURITY AND DEFENCE

What is the Security and Defence Partnership?

The EU and the United Kingdom have concluded a comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial Security and Defence Partnership, reflecting the mutual ambition to strengthen cooperation on security and defence. It is a tailored political framework of cooperation, and it structures our broad and deepening relations across the full spectrum of peace, security and defence matters. In a volatile geopolitical context, it will help the EU and the UK reinforce joint efforts to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security and beyond, and securing our collective future.

This new Partnership will facilitate regular high level dialogue. It establishes six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues between the EU High Representative and the UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries, and strategic consultations in areas of joint interest such as Russia/Ukraine, Western Balkans, Indo-Pacific and hybrid threats. It also creates a new, dedicated annual security and defence dialogue and exchanges on many areas, from peace mediation to crisis response.

In this context, the EU and the UK will regularly exchange on their respective security and defence initiatives, including on defence readiness and defence industry, and will explore possible mutual involvement in them.

The Partnership considerably widens the scope of the security and defence areas of cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom, covering among other areas:

• Peacebuilding.
• Civilian and military crisis management
• Maritime security
• Space security
• Cyber issues, and emerging disruptive technologies.
• Countering hybrid threats and resilience of critical infrastructure.
• Fighting foreign information manipulation.
• Counterterrorism and preventing/countering violent extremism.
• Climate and security nexus.
• External aspects of economic security and irregular migration.

More information can be found on the website of the External Action Service.

Will the United Kingdom be able to participate in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument?

The conclusion of a Security and Defence Partnership allows the United Kingdom to participate in common procurement actions under SAFE with Member States.

It also allows the United Kingdom to request negotiations for an EU-United Kingdom bilateral agreement enabling the participation of the United Kingdom’s defence industry entities in the SAFE instrument.

This is subject to the adoption of the SAFE regulation and the related provisions regarding the participation of third countries and third-country entities and products.

II – PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE OF THE EU-UNITED KINGDOM RELATIONSHIP

YOUTH EXPERIENCE SCHEME

What has been agreed as regards youth exchange?

The European Commission and the United Kingdom agreed to work toward a youth experience scheme, which should facilitate the participation of young people from the EU and the United Kingdom to travel, work, volunteer and study in each other’s territories. The exact conditions related to this scheme will be decided during the negotiations.

Would the scheme reinstate free movement as it applied while the United Kingdom was a Member State?

The scheme is not about free movement of persons.

The envisaged scheme would provide for age-limited, time-limited mobility, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions to be checked before the mobility can take place. Conditions will also be defined for the period of stay.  The scheme would provide a dedicated visa path and ensure that the overall number of participants is acceptable to both sides.

ERASMUS+

What has been agreed on Erasmus+

The European Commission and the United Kingdom should work towards the association of the United Kingdom to the European Union Erasmus+ programme. The specific terms of this association, including mutually agreeable financial terms, should be determined as part of this work in order to ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the United Kingdom. The association should be in accordance with the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The association of the United Kingdom to Erasmus+ would support activities such as exchanges for students, at university and other academic levels, exchanges and training activities for academic staff, cooperation among higher education institutions, youth exchanges, and the support for the professional development of sport staff.

III – STRENGHTENING OUR ECONOMIES WHILE PROTECTING OUR PLANET AND ITS RESOURCES

ELECTRICITY COOPERATION

What has been agreed in the area of electricity? 

The European Commission and the United Kingdom will explore the possibility of an agreement leading to the participation of the United Kingdom in the EU’s internal electricity market, including wholesale and retail electricity. The agreement would require that the United Kingdom dynamically align to the relevant EU rules. Within an arbitration-based dispute resolution model, the European Court of Justice is the ultimate authority for all questions of European Union law.

This exploratory work will be pursued after the Summit. In the meantime, the current electricity trading arrangements will continue to apply.

SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY AGREEMENT (SPS)

What has been agreed as regards Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement?

The European Commission and the United Kingdom agree to work towards an SPS agreement in respect of Great Britain.

As a result of an SPS agreement, the vast majority of movements of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the European Union could be undertaken without SPS certificates and checks.

The SPS agreement would cover sanitary, phytosanitary, food safety and general consumer protection rules applicable to the production, distribution and consumption of agrifood products, the regulation of live animals and pesticides, the rules on organics as well as marketing standards applicable to certain sectors or products.

The agreement would require that the United Kingdom dynamically aligns to the relevant EU rules. Within an arbitration-based dispute resolution model, the European Court of Justice is the ultimate authority for all questions of European Union law

How would the SPS Agreement affect the Windsor Framework?

An SPS agreement, together with the Windsor Framework, would greatly facilitate the movement of agri-foods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Until an SPS agreement is concluded and applied, the SPS arrangements under the Windsor Framework continue to apply and need to be delivered in full, both in terms of flexibilities and safeguards.

LINKING OF EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEMS

What has been agreed as regards linking of emissions trading systems?

The European Commission and the United Kingdom have agreed to work towards establishing a link between their emission trading systems. As a result, carbon allowances issued by either the EU or the United Kingdom could be recognised for compliance under the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme of the other party.

Furthermore, the linking agreement would create conditions for the mutual exemptions from the respective European Union and the United Kingdom Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms.

The agreement should ensure the dynamic alignment of the United Kingdom with the relevant European Union rules underpinning the functioning of the ETS link. Within an arbitration-based dispute resolution model, the European Court of Justice is the ultimate authority for all questions of EU law.

BUSINESS MOBILITY

What has been agreed on business mobility?

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for rules on the entry and temporary stay of natural persons for business purposes.

Within this framework, the European Commission and the United Kingdom shall hold a dedicated dialogue on business mobility.

The dialogue will focus on the application of the United Kingdom sponsorship scheme to EU service suppliers and on the recognition of professional qualifications for specific regulated professions.

The Union has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the application of the United Kingdom sponsorship scheme to EU service suppliers going to the United Kingdom to provide a short-term service.

TRADE IN STEEL

What has been agreed on trade in steel?

The EU and the UK agreed to safeguard historic tariff-free trade in steel products under category 17.

For this purpose, the EU will make a legislative proposal for a country-specific quota for UK steel in category 17 under the current safeguard.

This issue will also be duly reflected in a post-2026 regime.

IV – INTERNAL SECURITY, JUDICIAL COOPERATION

What has been agreed on internal security and judicial cooperation? 

At the Summit, the European Commission and the United Kingdom agreed to quicker and better implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and to reinforce their cooperation. This means, for example:

• Reinforcing cooperation at Europol.
• Finalising work setting up the exchange of vehicle registration data under the Agreement.
• Exchanging fingerprints and DNA and ensuring access to criminal records of third country nationals.
• Adding facial images to the data exchange for the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal offences.

• Agreeing a working arrangement between the EU Drugs Agency and the competent United Kingdom authority.

V – IRREGULAR MIGRATION

What has been agreed on irregular migration? 

The European Commission and the United Kingdom have agreed to deepen cooperation on the challenges posed by irregular migration. They will for instance:

• Share more operational information, best practices and expertise on the external dimension of migration.

• Enhance operational and strategic cooperation, for example at Europol and its European Migrant Smuggling Centre.

• Reinforce cooperation in EU networks and agencies, including the EU’s Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, the European Migration Network and the European Union Agency for Asylum. They will explore United Kingdom participation in the Khartoum and Rabat Processes.

I. Introduction

1. In view of the United Kingdom – European Union summit of 19 May 2025, the European Commission and the United Kingdom explored areas with the potential to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom (1). This Common Understanding between the European Commission and the United Kingdom sets out the conclusions of those exploratory talks. We will proceed swiftly on the undertakings set out in this document, in accordance with our respective procedures and legal frameworks. We will respect each other’s decision-making autonomy.

2. In order to strengthen the bilateral relationship, we stress the pivotal importance of the two main agreements that underpin our relationship: the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. We reaffirm our commitment to their full, timely, and faithful implementation.

3. We note the political agreements leading to full reciprocal access to waters to fish until 30 June 2038 and extending energy cooperation on a continuous basis.

II. Security, defence, and development cooperation

Security and defence

4. The European Commission and the United Kingdom share the view that it is in the mutual interest of the EU and the United Kingdom to strengthen their cooperation on security and defence.

5. The conclusion of the Security and Defence Partnership reflects this ambition. The Partnership represents a framework for dialogue and cooperation on security and defence. It will help the EU and the United Kingdom boost cooperation in areas such as: supporting Ukraine; security and defence initiatives, including on defence industry; mobility of military materiel and personnel; space security; regular high-level dialogues and strategic consultations; peacebuilding and crisis management; cyber issues; countering hybrid threats and resilience of critical infrastructure.

6. In view of the Security and Defence Partnership, the United Kingdom and the European Commission should swiftly explore any possibilities for mutually beneficial enhanced cooperation created by the SAFE instrument, once adopted, in accordance with their respective legal frameworks.

Cooperation on maritime security and safety

7. The European Commission and the United Kingdom will seek to enhance cooperation in the following areas relating to maritime security: ship and port facility security (in particular related to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code), maritime cyber security, security aspects of maritime autonomous surface ships, International Maritime Organization maritime security initiatives and other relevant maritime security related topics.

8. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will endeavour to deepen their cooperation in the area of maritime safety in relation to accident reporting, including mutual sharing of accident investigation reports. In addition, cooperation in the context of the International Maritime Organization should be intensified.

Development and disaster cooperation

9. The European Commission and the United Kingdom will establish a regular dialogue in the area of development cooperation.

10. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will seek to enhance cooperation in the field of international disaster and humanitarian response.

Health Security

11. The European Commission and the United Kingdom will explore the potential to enable exchange and cooperation on health security, including the detection of, preparedness for, and response to emerging health threats, to prevent and mitigate against future pandemics and health crises, including within the framework of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement health security provisions to maximise cooperation on health security. Health security, biological and chemical security should be part of regular exchanges at all levels, in appropriate fora, with a view to protecting public health.

III. Putting people at the centre of the European Union – United Kingdom relationship

12. The United Kingdom and the European Commission share the view that it is in the mutual interest to deepen our people-to-people ties, particularly for the younger generation.

13. Therefore, the European Commission and the United Kingdom 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, for a limited period of time. It should provide a dedicated visa path and ensure that the overall number of participants is acceptable to both sides.

14. Furthermore, the United Kingdom and the European Commission should work towards the association of the United Kingdom to the European Union 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 European Union Multiannual Financial Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

15. The European Commission and the United Kingdom 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.

16. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will continue their exchanges on smooth border management for the benefit of their citizens, including the potential use of eGates where appropriate. They note that European Union citizens can use eGates in the United Kingdom and that there will be no legal barriers to eGate use for British Nationals traveling to and from European Union Member States after the introduction of the European Union Entry/Exit System.

IV. Strengthening our economies while protecting our planet and its resources

17. The European Commission and the United Kingdom share the view that it is in their interest to strengthen their economic relations and generate prosperity as follows:

Energy cooperation 

Exploring the participation of the United Kingdom in the European Union’s internal electricity market

18. The United Kingdom and the European Commission share the view that close cooperation on electricity is in the interest of both the European Union and the United Kingdom.

19. The European Commission and the United Kingdom should explore in detail the necessary parameters for the United Kingdom’s possible participation in the European Union’s internal electricity market, including participation in the European Union’s trading platforms in all timeframes. Meanwhile, the current electricity trading arrangements will continue to apply.

20. Regarding its territorial scope, any agreement should be appropriately articulated with the provisions of the Windsor Framework. Any agreement should be based on a balance of rights and obligations and ensure a level playing field. In this context, it should define the relationship between the United Kingdom and European Union rules on the electricity market, as well as on State aid, the promotion of renewables and the protection of the environment, in so far as they relate to the electricity sector.

21. Accordingly, any agreement should include dynamic alignment with European Union rules where relevant, giving due regard to the United Kingdom’s constitutional and parliamentary procedures and respect the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union within an arbitration-based dispute resolution mechanism, and an appropriate United Kingdom contribution to decision-shaping.

New technologies

22. The United Kingdom and the European Commission welcome continued technical regulatory exchanges on new energy technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage and biomethane.

Working towards a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area

23. The European Commission and the United Kingdom share the view that a functioning sanitary and phytosanitary area would address many of the issues raised in respect of the movement of agri-food products.

24. The United Kingdom and the European Commission should work towards establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area by way of a European Union-United Kingdom Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (hereafter ‘SPS Agreement’).

25. Regarding its territorial scope, the SPS Agreement should cover the European Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Great Britain (2). This would result in the vast majority of movements of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the European Union being undertaken without the certificates or controls that are currently required by the rules within the scope of the SPS Agreement for such movements. These same benefits would be extended to the movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, through the interplay of the Windsor Framework and the SPS Agreement, so long as the SPS Agreement is fully implemented. The continued application of the Windsor Framework would provide for Northern Ireland maintaining its privileged unique dual access to both the European Union Single Market and the United Kingdom internal market.

26. In terms of its material scope, the SPS Agreement should cover sanitary, phytosanitary, food safety and general consumer protection rules applicable to the production, distribution and consumption of agrifood products, the regulation of live animals and pesticides, the rules on organics as well as marketing standards applicable to certain sectors or products.

27. Within the scope defined above, the SPS Agreement should ensure the application of the same rules at all times by providing for timely dynamic alignment of the rules applicable to and in the United Kingdom acting in respect of Great Britain with all the relevant European Union rules, giving due regard to the United Kingdom’s constitutional and parliamentary procedures; and where necessary to ensure the European Union’s level of food, sanitary, and phytosanitary safety, through the immediate application of the relevant European Union rules.

28. The United Kingdom should be able to take targeted action to protect its biosecurity and public health, in the same way as Member States under European Union law. In addition, the SPS Agreement should include a short list of limited exceptions to dynamic alignment. An exception could only be agreed if: (i) it does not lead to lower standards as compared to European Union rules, (ii) it does not negatively affect European Union animals and goods
being placed on the market in the United Kingdom in respect of Great Britain, and (iii) it respects the principle that only animals and goods compliant with European Union rules move into the European Union.

29. The SPS Agreement should be subject to a dispute resolution mechanism with an independent arbitration panel that ensures the Court of Justice of the European Union is the ultimate authority for all questions of European Union law.

30. To ensure that it can put forward its view, the United Kingdom should be involved at an early stage and contribute appropriately for a country that is not a member of the European Union to the decision-shaping process of European Union legal acts in the fields covered by the obligation to dynamically align. The European Commission should consult the Government of the United Kingdom at an early stage of policy-making. These rights would not extend to participation in the work of the Council or its preparatory bodies.

31. The United Kingdom should have appropriate access to relevant European Union agencies, systems and databases in the areas covered by the SPS Agreement.

32. The SPS Agreement should provide for an appropriate financial contribution from the United Kingdom to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union’s work in this policy area.

33. The SPS Agreement should be subject to a joint governance mechanism.

Working towards linking Emission Trading Systems of the European Union and the United Kingdom

34. The European Commission and the United Kingdom share the view that a functioning link between carbon markets would address many of the issues raised in respect of trade and a level playing field and would give effect to Article 392(6) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This link should not constrain the European Union and the United Kingdom from pursuing higher environmental ambition, consistent with their international obligations.

35. Therefore, the United Kingdom and the European Commission should work towards establishing a link between carbon markets by way of a European Union-United Kingdom agreement linking the United Kingdom Emission Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS).

36. Regarding its territorial scope, this agreement should be appropriately articulated with the provisions of the Windsor Framework.

37. The agreement to link the UK ETS and EU ETS should create the conditions for goods originating in our jurisdictions to benefit from mutual exemptions from the respective European Union and United Kingdom Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of European Union and United Kingdom legislation.

38. In terms of material scope, the agreement should cover all aspects of the functioning of an ETS link.

39. The sectors falling in the scope of the ETS linking agreement should be clearly defined to avoid risks of carbon leakage and competitive distortions. Among others, this scope should include the sectors of electricity generation, industrial heat generation (excluding the individual heating of houses), industry, domestic and international maritime transport and domestic and international aviation. The agreement should provide for a procedure to further expand the list of sectors to be covered by the linking agreement.

40. Within that scope, the agreement should ensure the dynamic alignment of the United Kingdom with the relevant European Union rules underpinning the functioning of the ETS link, giving due regard to the United Kingdom’s constitutional and parliamentary procedures.

41. The United Kingdom cap and the United Kingdom reduction pathway will be guided by the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Act obligations and Nationally Determined Contributions. They should be at least as ambitious as the European Union cap and the European Union reduction pathway.

42. The agreement should provide for an appropriate financial contribution from the United Kingdom to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union’s work in this policy area.

43. The agreement should be subject to a dispute resolution mechanism with an independent arbitration panel that ensures the Court of Justice of the European Union is the ultimate authority for all questions of European Union law.

44. To ensure that it can put forward its view, the United Kingdom should be involved at an early stage and contribute appropriately for a country that is not a member of the European Union to the decision-shaping process of European Union legal acts in the fields covered by the obligation to dynamically align. The European Commission should consult the United Kingdom at an early stage of policy-making. These rights would not extend to participation in the work of the Council or its preparatory bodies.

45. The agreement should be subject to a joint governance mechanism.

Provision of services through entry and temporary stay of natural persons for business purposes

46. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will set up dedicated dialogues on the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, as regards entry and temporary stay of natural persons for business purposes, including the sponsorship scheme, and the recognition of professional qualifications.

Competition cooperation

47. The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the mutual benefit of cooperation in competition enforcement. In this context and in implementing the level playing field provisions of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the European Commission and the United Kingdom welcome the successful conclusion of negotiations for a competition cooperation agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

V. Internal security and judicial cooperation

Reinforced law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters

48. The United Kingdom and the European Commission recognise the importance of ongoing law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

49. The European Commission and the United Kingdom believe that there is scope for reinforcing cooperation through quicker, better and deeper implementation of Part Three of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and by fully exploiting and building on its potential. To improve this cooperation, the European Commission and the United Kingdom should intensify technical work in the Specialised Committee on Law Enforcement and Judicial Cooperation with the aim to further streamline the cooperation on mutual legal assistance. The European Commission and the United Kingdom will also explore opportunities to enhance the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the provisions of Title VII of Part Three of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

50. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will take the necessary steps to ensure that the pending arrangements underpinning the cooperation between the United Kingdom and Europol under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement are finalised swiftly.

51. The European Commission and the United Kingdom will also encourage Europol and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, and their other competent law enforcement authorities, to further develop their cooperation including in the framework of analysis projects and operational action plans within the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats.

52. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will also consider how to increase operational cooperation between the United Kingdom and Europol under the applicable rules, for instance on mutually beneficial exchange of information related to terrorism and other serious crimes.

53. The European Commission and the United Kingdom will explore ways to reinforce mutual and reciprocal exchanges of data on fingerprints, DNA, and criminal records of third country nationals, in the light of technical developments; and acknowledge the requirement in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to set up automated searching of vehicle registration data. They will also explore extending the exchange of data to facial images for the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal offences.

54. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will examine the difficulties for law enforcement and judicial authorities in one jurisdiction to obtain data from electronic communication and other relevant service providers offering services in the other jurisdiction, and potential solutions.

Judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters

55. The European Commission and the United Kingdom note the importance of the positive judicial cooperation in civil and commercial law, including family matters. In this context, they welcome that the Hague Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters will enter into force for the United Kingdom on 1 July 2025.

Cooperation in relation to drugs risks and threats

56. The United Kingdom and the European Commission agree that the reciprocal exchange of information between the European Union Drugs Agency and the United Kingdom relevant authorities on drugs risks and threats would be beneficial for fulfilling their respective tasks. Therefore, they suggest that the European Union Drugs Agency and the relevant United Kingdom authorities could conclude a working arrangement to that end.

VI. Irregular migration

57. The European Commission and the United Kingdom underline their commitment to deepen co-operation on challenges posed by irregular migration – including action to tackle people smuggling and to deepen information sharing to control and manage migration at our respective external borders – while remaining committed to ensuring international protection for those who need it.

Upstream Migration

58. The United Kingdom and the European Commission will deepen cooperation on the external dimension of migration across key geographies, as part of a whole of route approach. They recognise the benefit of increased mutual sharing of information, country expertise and analysis enabling better coordination. They will also work more closely in multilateral fora, processes and dialogues, including the European Union’s Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, and through exploring United Kingdom participation in the Khartoum and Rabat Processes.

Working together on practical solutions and returns

59. The European Commission and the United Kingdom should work together on practical and innovative approaches to reduce irregular migration. This includes work to share best practices and operational information on key issues like returns to third countries, and to explore possible deterrence mechanisms and other innovative solutions, in line with national, European Union and international law. This would be underpinned by closer cooperation across key networks such as the European Migration Network and agencies, including the European Union Agency for Asylum and Frontex, and respective United Kingdom authorities. They should work together to prevent irregular Channel crossings.

Bolstering United Kingdom and European Union border security including through law enforcement cooperation

60. The United Kingdom and the European Commission should bolster their operational and strategic cooperation to tackle the challenges posed by irregular migration along key routes and at external borders, including through their agencies, law enforcement and judicial cooperation, and information sharing capabilities. This includes through enhanced cooperation with Europol and its European Migrant Smuggling Centre.

Addressing challenges and abuses of visa policy

61. In addition to these enhanced efforts, the European Commission and the United Kingdom will explore closer cooperation to address challenges related to visa policy such as exchanging analysis on visa abuse by third country nationals.

—

(1) : Unless otherwise provided, the territorial scope of the cooperation envisaged by this Common Understanding will be in line with the scope of Article 774 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

(2) : In line with Article 520(5) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the territorial scope of the SPS Agreement could be extended to cover the territories referred to in Article 774(2) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.