Leaked negotiation documents reveal that the European Union has established the terms for a post-Brexit trade deal, anticipating concessions from British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
According to a classified document obtained by The Telegraph, the EU will require Britain to end free movement for students and maintain existing fishing rights for its trawlers.
Since taking office in July, the Prime Minister has been advocating for a “reset” in relations between Britain and Brussels.
The EU considers now the “right opportunity” to seek concessions from Britain, citing the “change in government” and the push for a “reset in these [EU/UK] relations,” as outlined in the 19-page document.
An EU official familiar with the document stated, “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu … and Keir’s turkey is stuffed.”
The primary demand from EU governments is a “youth experience scheme,” which would grant visas to individuals aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK, offering free healthcare and subsidized education.
The negotiating document was prepared by EU member states in anticipation of formal talks between British and Brussels representatives next year.
Recently, Sir Keir met with António Costa, President of the European Council, at Downing Street, where they committed to organizing an EU-UK summit in the early months of 2025.
The document also indicates that the EU’s 27 member states have shown “strong support” for including the controversial measure of free movement for students in any agreement.
Any potential agreement is complicated by the Government’s efforts to reduce the number of legal migrants entering the country, following recent figures that showed the total reached nearly one million in 2023.
According to the document, the second expected concession from the UK concerns fisheries. It requires Prime Minister Sir Keir to agree to an “early” and “long-term” arrangement that allows European fishermen access to British waters beyond 2026 for any deal between London and Brussels to proceed.
The EU’s negotiating document states, “A reset between the Union and the United Kingdom is only credible if it is based on an early understanding between the parties.”
Additionally, the document indicates that Britain must stop restricting access to its waters for European fishermen as part of its efforts to establish marine protection areas aimed at conserving wildlife, including puffins.
Recently, the Government angered European leaders by closing a section of Sand Eel fishing areas around Dogger Bank in the North Sea. This action prompted the EU to sue Britain under the post-Brexit trade agreement, with Danish and Swedish fishermen alleging discrimination.
In its demands, the EU emphasized that any closures of fishing waters must adhere to “proportionality,” implying that concessions on this matter are expected.
