EU officials confirm preliminary agreement between EU, UK ahead of summit

BRUSSELS, May 19 (KUNA) -- European Union officials confirmed on Monday that the EU and the United Kingdom have reached a preliminary agreement covering issues related to defense, security, fisheries, and youth mobility.
The agreement comes ahead of an EU-UK summit scheduled for later today and paves the way for British companies to participate in major EU-funded defense contracts, the officials said.
An EU diplomat confirmed that an agreement had been reached on the various texts and accompanying elements of the EU-UK summit, adding, "There is an agreement... on the different texts and parallel aspects of the EU-UK Summit." He stated, "From my understanding, all member states seem to be happy with what's put on the table as the summit is about to start. There is now an ongoing written procedure to have the formal agreement of all member states but it shouldn't cause any problem." Representatives of EU member states in Brussels received the text of a "Common Understanding" between Brussels and London, and it is currently under approval by the 27 member governments, according to the same sources.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa in London later on Monday.
This preliminary agreement marks a pivotal moment following years of tension and uncertainty that have clouded relations between London and Brussels since Brexit and the UK's withdrawal from the EU in 2020. (end) arn.lr