The European Union has called for an urgent acceleration in negotiations with the United Kingdom, warning that efforts to reset relations risk collapsing ahead of a planned July summit.
Maroš Šefčovič said both sides must “change gears” to overcome key sticking points, particularly disagreements over tuition fees for EU students under a proposed youth mobility scheme. The issue has emerged as a major obstacle to reaching a broader agreement.
The UK government, led by Keir Starmer, is aiming to secure a new deal with the EU as part of its economic strategy. However, negotiations remain complex, especially around food safety rules and regulatory alignment, which require significant legislative changes.
While progress has been made on trade-related areas, the dispute over whether EU students should pay domestic or higher international tuition fees continues to delay a breakthrough. The deadlock could jeopardize not only the summit but also wider plans to strengthen ties.
Both sides acknowledge the urgency, with officials indicating efforts are being stepped up to find compromise solutions. Without progress, broader cooperation initiatives and economic alignment between the EU and the UK may face further delays.