Update on the recent UK-EU Leaders Summit

On 24 June, Ambassador Copsey was pleased to host fellow Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission colleagues from EU countries. Together with the Head of the European Commission representation in Sofia, Mrs Yordanka Chobanova, they provided an update on the recent UK-EU Leaders Summit held in London on 19 May.

This was the first such Summit to take place since the UK left the EU. Agreements were reached to enhance joint working which will lead to closer and more pragmatic cooperation between the UK and EU.

The discussion here in Sofia highlighted the positive trajectory of the wider UK-EU relationship. It is based on shared values, mutual interests, and tackling common challenges. All present agreed that it only makes sense to work even closer together in an ever-changing world, and to strengthen our cooperation across a wide range of shared interests. They include security and defence, trade, and people-to-people links, the potential for increased youth mobility, to name but a few.

The group also discussed common support for Ukraine and for the security and stability of the Black Sea. These were some of the key areas of shared foreign and security policy interest.

Both the UK and the EU are now focused on delivering at pace on the agreements reached on 19 May. To operationalise and deliver the improvements foreseen at the Summit that would be of benefit to both sides.