Email: info@vulcanconsulting.eu    |    Dublin Tel: +353 1 960 2270    |    Brussels Tel: +32 (0) 2 791 75 76    |    Belfast Tel: +44 (0) 7 930 9676 94

EU and the UK sign Security and Defence Partnership

On Monday, 19 May, European Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Costa and European Commissioner with responsibility for the EU-UK Relationship Maroš Šefčovič held the first official post-Brexit EU-UK Summit with UK Prime Minister Starmer and Minister for EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds. As expected, the Summit brought an Agreement on an EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership. Still, it was light in concrete deliverables otherwise, apart from an extension of the full reciprocal access to fishing waters beyond 30 June 2026 and until 30 June 2038.

Apart from a Joint Statement, the parties agreed on the following points: 

  • A new Strategic Partnership building on the “stable foundation of the relationship” set by the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. 
  • A Declaration on the Common Understanding between both parties on the way forward, including energy, migration, SPS and Youth Mobility.

The EU and UK agreed on a Security and Defence Partnership to address shared threats in an increasingly unstable global environment, especially in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to international law, democracy, and multilateral collaboration in cyber-defence, counterterrorism, crisis management and maritime and space security. Additionally, both parties aim to deepen coordination in peacekeeping and foreign policy while reinforcing NATO cooperation across Europe.

Meanwhile, the comprehensive 61-point Declaration on the Common Understanding outlines high-level common aspects on which the EU and UK agree as part of ongoing and future negotiations. the text highlights the ongoing divisions in the negotiations regarding the UK’s involvement in the European Union’s internal electricity market. It also addresses the linkage between the EU and UK Emissions Trading Systems (ETS), the EU-UK SPS Agreement, and the establishment of an EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme. These matters have been under negotiation for several years.

Moving forward, there will be:

  • Regular exchanges between EU and UK interlocutors,
  • A foreign and security policy dialogue every six months between the UK Foreign and Defence secretaries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. 
  • Annual Summits to strengthen the relationship and drive progress on the renewed agenda for EU-UK cooperation. 

SHARE:

Recent Posts

Subscribe to our Newsletter and keep up to date with the current news and events for your industry

Graduate Trainee (Ireland)
Preferred Start Date: January/February 2026
Dublin

Vulcan Consulting is looking to hire an upcoming or recent graduate with a passion for public affairs, policy and politics as part of our Graduate Trainee Programme. The ambitious trainee will participate in a 6–month full time programme – and will be based in our Dublin office for at least 3 days each week. 

Vulcan’s 6–month structured programme will provide the successful candidate with a hands-on experience in government relations, stakeholder engagement and policy analysis. They will become a key member of our client servicing team in Dublin and will primarily assist in supporting our wide range of multinational and domestic clients in the life sciences, technology and retail sectors. 

Vulcan hopes to instill insider knowledge of Ireland’s political landscape – as well as skills to collaborate with key decision makers in both the public and private sectors.

This position is remunerated – and there is potential, upon exemplary performance, for further progression. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who are strongly interested in developing a career in public affairs.
 
Skills & Experience:
  • A University degree (Master’s level ideally but not essential) in relevant subjects (e.g. EU Affairs, International Relations, Communications, Public Affairs etc.);
  • A demonstrable understanding of public policy in Ireland and the legislative process;
  • A strong interest in Irish public affairs; and
  • Excellent writing and research skills.

Personal qualities:

  • Be an enthusiastic team player and a quick learner;
  • Be able to take initiative and demonstrate proactiveness;
  • Demonstrate an attention to detail;
  • Have native-level English; and
  • Have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.

Please send your CV along with a researched written exercise on a campaign of your choosing (no more than 1000 words) to ianfahey@vulcanconsulting.eu  

Please outline why you chose this campaign; why the campaign worked well; what stakeholder were involved in the campaign; what you would have done differently; and what was the result of the campaign in question.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 (Irish time) on Friday, 28 November 2025.

Interviews of short-listed candidates will take place on the week commencing 1 December 2025.