The EU and Britain will hold a summit in Brussels on July 22 as part of efforts to improve ties a decade on from the Brexit vote, leaders said on Tuesday.

Top EU officials Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen announced the date after meeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 gathering in France.

"Close EU-UK cooperation is essential for our shared European security, resilience, and prosperity," Costa said in a statement.

"We are working closely together to make our upcoming second summit in Brussels on 22 July a success."

Starmer confirmed the meeting with the EU's top duo and said his government was "delivering on our promise to reset our relationship and put Britain at the heart of Europe."

Since coming to power in 2024, Starmer has looked to turn the page on the bad blood caused by Britain's 2016 vote to quit the bloc.

The two sides are hoping to present several deals at the summit, namely on food and animal safety standards, a youth mobility scheme, and the linking of their emissions trading systems.

But discussions have been difficult on some of the issues.

The summit comes as Starmer confronts an uncertain future, with the British premier expected to face a leadership challenge if lead contender Andy Burnham is elected to parliament in the coming days. (AFP)



Edited by Robert Kemp