The EU-UK Forum, organised by Paul Adamson and Encompass, brought together high-profile policymakers, business leaders, and analysts in a wide-ranging discussion on the evolving relationship between the UK and the European Union.

Against the backdrop of shifting geopolitical and economic challenges, the event underscored the complexities of post-Brexit cooperation and the opportunities for deeper engagement in critical areas such as trade, energy, and security. The full agenda can be found here. The EU-UK Forum was attended by Joe Meighan, our Public Affairs Manager, and Mark English, our Policy and Media Advisor (and main man) in Brussels.

The forum opened with a recorded keynote from Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, who reiterated the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties with the UK, particularly through full implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

Following this was in-person address from Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, UK Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, who emphasised a pragmatic approach to EU relations, highlighting security, economic growth, and regulatory cooperation as key priorities.

A major theme of the forum was the state of public sentiment on UK-EU relations. Exclusive polling across ten European countries, presented by Gideon Skinner of Ipsos UK and Ireland, revealed a prevailing lack of confidence on both sides in the prospect of improving ties. Suzanne Lynch, Chief Brussels Correspondent at Politico Europe, noted that while certain issues, such as freedom of movement, remained high priorities for EU citizens, they held much lower salience for the UK public.

Economic relations were also a major focus, with business leaders debating the challenges and opportunities presented by regulatory divergence and market access. Nick Collier of the City of London Corporation pointed out that services, which make up the bulk of the UK’s economy, remain underrepresented in the current trade framework. Derk Bleeker of Sage and Darren Ennis of Vodafone emphasised the importance of regulatory cooperation in technology and telecommunications, while financial commentator Simon Nixon explored broader competitiveness concerns.

Looking beyond economics, discussions then turned to political and security cooperation. Sandro Gozi MEP and Stella Creasy MP engaged in a forward-looking “fireside chat” on the potential for deepening engagement in areas like youth mobility and organised crime prevention. They emphasised the importance of approaching negotiations with an open and constructive mindset, focusing on finding practical solutions rather than revisiting entrenched positions or past disputes.

Meanwhile, Clara Semal of National Grid detailed quiet but significant progress on energy cooperation, particularly in linking emissions trading systems and maintaining alignment on climate goals.

Security and defence continued to feature prominently in the final discussions, with experts including Rosa Balfour of Carnegie Europe and Sir Julian King, former European Commissioner for the Security Union, stressing the need for pragmatic cooperation. They noted that successful defence partnerships could serve as a model for broader engagement. Alex Creswell OBE of Graphcore highlighted the critical role of innovation and investment in strengthening security ties, while Henry Foy of the Financial Times led a discussion on how shifting global dynamics, including a return of Donald Trump to the White House, might shape the UK’s and EU’s strategic priorities.

The event underscored both the ongoing challenges and the necessity for engagement between the UK and the EU. With the next UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly set for March, discussions on trade, security, and economic alignment will remain high on the agenda.

The European Movement continues to monitor these developments, advocating for cooperative solutions that serve both sides’ interests in an increasingly complex global landscape.