“We turn the page”, said the EU chief Ursula von der Leien on Monday after the first block of the Brekit block. “We’re opening a new chapter.”
It is not the first page that has been converted to the period after Brexit, but it is potentially most important.
The two sides now hit a contract covering fishing, trade, defense, energy and strengthening relationships in several areas of politics that are still negotiable.
For Brussels, this negotiation was a chance to bring Britain – the main defense force – closer to the time of geopolitical turbulence.
And to address what some Member States see as irritating changes in Brekit.
For years, there was a mentality “Do not touch” when a broad view of Brekit’s solution was carried out, according to one EU diplomat.
Everything is involved “too much politics” with fears, everything could “go wrong.”
Remember, up to 2023 Windsor Framework AgreementLondon and Brussels were buried prolonged dispute over trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Then it was in 2024. The new government won the power in the UK – it is more of a more labor market parties in the EU.
Officials in Brussels have long expressed exasperation – even distrust – with previous conservative administrations, foreigners with vocal preventing the Brekit.
Some Brekit supporters are now casted by an agreement to say that the sales of the seller of EU bureaucracy.
Diplomats in Brussels, however, insist that it is a “normalization” of relationship between neighbors who are still looking at the world in a similar way.
It was said, it was obvious satisfaction in the EU circles on the locking quota for fisheries for 12 years.
When I checked with one diplomat about that details, they initially answered with a smile of emoji.
The second said, “The agreement is balanced – can be increased favorable conditions for the EU – and simply shows that great insulation is not an option in today’s climate.”
Of course, the EU will want to point out their “victories” in negotiations with a former state member who poorly ventilated the block departure.
Still, the coastal land – especially France – it will be happy for now that it does not have to withstand annual negotiations on fish qus.
In the end, I was told, Quid Pro. The EU has received its fishing contract. In turn, it will be easier to enterprise in the UK to export agricultural food products – although that element is not finalized.
Also still ironing are Plans for young mobiliteAnd – that would allow young people to study or work in Britain and the EU more easily.
It was a particularly important goal of countries like Germany, impatient to win better access to the country who speaks English with prestigious universities.
The second key point for Berlin was a new defensive and security partnership.
Russian fully invasions in Ukraine and unpredictable white houses Donald and Donald Trump have also terminated the rules on European security.
The weather was something about the healer – but the events of recent years have also created a sense of urgency.
Better connections with Britain, which remains the main defense player, is no longer than ever – for continental Europe because it is trying to increase investment and abilities.
Nations like Germany – who has only recently hit 2% of NATO consumer goals – are acutely aware that they remained exposed to dramatic global events in recent years.
But, of course, most of this agreement is in principle of agreement; Statement on the manner of questions that also range from cyber security, energy and migration.
“I think it’s a good step,” another EU diplomat told me. “It’s good to test the water for practical cooperation and what can be done. Let’s get it from there.”
There is still awake willing in Brussels about Britain full and a part-case discussion on EU relationships.
All specifics, which are yet to be negotiated, could be alerts to further political storms whether it is on political compromises or costs.
This “reset” may not change the large bases of Brekita – Great Britain and further than a single and customs union – but it makes London and Brussels to work much more as they try to fill many differences in this long range of ambitions.
This means that the volume of diplomatic traffic between Great Britain and the EU will be higher.
Do more work with Brussels inevitably means doing more conversations. With that in a relationship, it’s just the beginning today.
