Brussels, May 19 - The European Union and Britain have reached a tentative agreement on defence and security, fisheries, and youth mobility. This agreement precedes an EU-UK summit scheduled for Monday. The agreement paves the way for British firms to participate in large EU defence contracts, according to EU officials.
Representatives of EU governments in Brussels received a text of a Common Understanding between Britain and the EU. The document is currently being approved by all 27 EU governments. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa are scheduled to meet later on Monday in London.
According to one EU diplomat, there is an agreement on the different texts and parallel aspects of the EU-UK Summit. Britain is poised to agree to the most significant reset of ties with the European Union since Brexit on Monday. This reset seeks closer collaboration on trade and defence to help grow the economy and boost security on the continent.