Source: European Parliament
The Commission agrees on the importance of EU-United Kingdom (UK) cooperation in the area of fisheries, a key element of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The first ever EU-United Kingdom Summit took place on 19 May 2025. The Commission and the United Kingdom agreed a ‘Common Understanding’ which identifies areas of future work for strengthening the bilateral relationship. Throughout the discussions with the United Kingdom to prepare the Summit and to agree on a renewed agenda for EU-United Kingdom cooperation, fisheries was a priority to the Commission.
The Common Understanding notes the political agreement with the United Kingdom leading to full reciprocal access to waters to fish until 30 June 2038. This will protect the rights of EU fishers and ensure stability and predictability for a period of 12 years. During this period, the Parties will have full reciprocal access to fish quota and non-quota stocks in each other’s waters (Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters).
The Commission and the UK have committed to take the necessary steps to formalise this political agreement in the coming weeks and work is ongoing to do this.