There was "progress" in talks between the UK and the EU last night, government sources tell the BBC, as Keir Starmer hosts a summit of EU leaders in London. The sources say the remaining "obstacles" to a deal, mainly over fishing rights, were resolved by around 10.30pm on Sunday evening.
This paves the way for Keir Starmer and EU leaders to announce a deal today at the first post-Brexit UK-EU summit, A2 CNN reports.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting EU leaders for a summit in London today. The UK-EU summit aims to "reset" relations, with topics including defence, trade, fisheries and a possible youth mobility scheme.
A new security and defence pact could be announced today, as the Labour Party promised an "ambitious" deal to "strengthen cooperation on the threats we face".
Some political parties say that the NATO alliance is sufficient and that the United Kingdom does not need another pact.
But this is not just another pact. One area of interest is a new European Commission initiative, Security Action for Europe (SAFE), which will offer loans to member states to help them invest in defense through joint procurement, writes A2 CNN.
The UK wants its defence companies to be able to bid for contracts under the scheme. But EU countries appear divided on whether non-members like the UK should be allowed to participate.
The United Kingdom left the EU on January 31, 2020, and the Conservatives have called today's meetings a "surrender summit." (A2 Televizion)
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