Ten years after Brexit: rapprochement between the EU and Great Britain

In the tenth year of separation, of all things, the divorcees are getting closer again: In July, there were still many places in Brussels commemorating the withdrawal. As a result of Brexit, the EU shrank from 28 to 27 members.

In the summer, Ceira Sergeant marched with a group from Liverpool to Brussels in protest against this. After two weeks she arrived in the European capital. "It's a symbol of so many things," she said, handing over a book from Great Britain to the clapping MEPs with aching feet and a big laugh.

Many opportunities for collaboration

The separation was painful and expensive. But now they want to look forward - that's the tenor in Brussels. A trade and cooperation agreement was negotiated over many hours of the night. David McAllister - himself also British and chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the EU Parliament - helped negotiate the agreement. It is more than 1,200 pages long, one of the most extensive that the EU has ever negotiated, he says.

Just as divorcees determine who can see the children and when, who gets the house and who gets the dog, the agreement regulates cooperation in trade, fishing, law enforcement or air traffic. McAllister sees other opportunities for cooperation, for example in security and defense, economic cooperation and migration. He is particularly happy that Great Britain can take part in the Erasmus program again.

Traveling has become more complicated

For young people in Britain, the exit was particularly bitter and expensive. Student funding is intended to alleviate this a little. The island has also docked with the EU again on other projects. Since 2024, for example, the British have been part of the Copernicus program again and are therefore allowed to use weather and climate data. British scientists can also apply for research funding from the Horizon program again.

But McAllister also shows the limits. "A country that leaves the EU cannot enjoy the same benefits as a country that is a member of the European Union," he says. The biggest hurdle remains the free movement of people and goods. EU citizens who want to travel to the UK now need a visa or travel permit - and vice versa. Anyone who wants to sell goods into the EU has to deal with customs forms, import sales tax and supplier declarations.

“Brexit did more harm than good”

Ten years later, it is difficult to say what is weighing on the economy on both sides: Is it Brexit, Corona, high energy prices?

For Andy Burnham, the new British Prime Minister, one thing is certain: "Brexit has done more harm than good." His statement that all options are on the table certainly triggered fantasies of joining. But it's not that simple. An EU spokesman says Great Britain is a close and valuable partner for the European Union: "The British government can of course explain how it wants to further develop relations with the EU. We are open to the options they present."

Summit in November

There will be the second EU-UK summit in November. Until then, the British will be needed primarily for the defense of Ukraine, for intelligence work and rearmament; they are still in NATO anyway.