After Keir Starmer’s departure, the EU–United Kingdom summit scheduled for July is postponed; Costa: We will set a new date, and I hope his successor continues on this path

The summit between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which had been scheduled to take place on July 22 in Brussels, has been postponed following the resignation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Antonio Costa said that the meeting will most likely have to be postponed, while the possibility of setting a new date is being considered.

“For now, we will most likely have to postpone the summit, but we are reassessing the possibility of setting a new date,” Antonio Costa said.

At this summit, Starmer had been expected to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as European Council President Antonio Costa. The talks were to focus on issues related to cooperation in the food and energy sectors, as well as a youth mobility scheme.

The meeting was intended to build on the process of closer relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, launched last year by Starmer’s government.

The former prime minister viewed deeper ties with the EU as an essential part of his strategy to drive economic growth and reinvigorate governance. The issue had also taken center stage in one of his major speeches, following the Labour Party’s weak results in the local elections.

Costa also said that he hopes the person who succeeds Starmer will follow the same course in improving relations between London and Brussels.

“My wish is that his successor will be able to ensure the continuity of this positive path toward restoring and strengthening our relations with the United Kingdom,” Costa said.