The impressive Palais d’Egmont in Brussels will be the scene of the first 'informal' EU summit meeting on Monday, with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer invited to an evening dinner for discussions on defence.
With security high on the agenda, the meeting is being organised by the European Council President Antonio Costa with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte invited to a lunch, and the UK Prime Minister to a dinner.
The original location was moved last week from Limont to the Palais d'Egmont following a reassessment of security measures given the sensitive subject. The summit is expected to cause traffic disruptions in Brussels.
Following the election of United States President Donald Trump and his attacks on Europe's defence spending, European leaders are gathering to informally discuss boosting Europe's defence capabilities. Trump has repeatedly accused Europe of "free-loading" on the US for defence spending via NATO membership.
Even prior to Trump's election, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine had brought the continent new security challenges, particularly on how to counter Moscow’s hybrid and cyber-warfare against the EU.
Reuniting on Monday at Belgium's historic palace for diplomatic and official events, European leaders will also discuss the conflict in the Middle East and the future of EU-US relations.
Palais d'Egmont. Credit: Lauren Walker/ The Brussels Times
However, the presence of British PM Keir Starmer in Brussels on Monday evening is widely anticipated as the beginning of the reboot in relations with London. Saturday marked five years since the UK officially left the EU on 1 February 2020.
Since the election of the new Labour government in July, discussions on UK-EU have shifted. Costa and Starmer met for the first time in December in Brussels, where they reaffirmed the intention to strengthen the relationship "at an increasingly volatile time for the world." This included inviting Starmer to Brussels for the defence summit.
On Monday, the UK’s role in European security will be a central point of discussion during the dinner. With the first EU-UK Summit later in 2025, it will also be opportunity to discuss the future of defence relations between the two powers.
Various agreements, including for Withdrawal, Windsor Framework and Trade and Cooperation are the foundation of relations between the UK and EU in the post-Brexit world.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Antonio Costa, President of the EU Council for a bilateral meeting in London. Credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
The new chair of the UK-EU relations delegation in the European Parliament, Sandro Gozi MEP, echoed the need for a reset in relations in an article for The Brussels Times on Friday to mark five years since Brexit.
"In the face of these growing external threats, it is imperative for the UK and the EU to rethink their relationship, not merely in terms of post-divorce management, but as a strategic collaboration to reconstruct a new architecture of security and stability," Gozi wrote.
How to boost defence?
Earlier on Monday, a lunch with Mark Rutte will also see EU leaders discuss NATO. Moreover, they will run through the most pressing defence-related issues, including the continued support for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also represent the EU during the informal summit.
With Europe now openly wanting "to take greater responsibility for its own defence", discussions between EU leaders will look at mobilising funding from the private sector and optimising the EU budget. It may also look into common ways of financing defence initiatives.
In that context, the link between increased defence investment and the reinforcement of the EU's economic competitiveness will also be key. This also includes strategic investments to develop Europe’s technological and industrial base, including developing critical defence capabilities.
With much at stake, the 'informal' retreat will lay the groundwork for future important decisions to be taken in the field of defence in the coming months.
