European Council President António Costa has affirmed that the European Union will not allow disputes over fishing rights to derail its security and defence pact with the United Kingdom.

Speaking during a press briefing, Costa stated that European defence and fisheries must be treated as distinct matters and underscored the EU's desire for the closest possible relationship with the UK. His remarks came three days after Labour leader Keir Starmer outlined proposals for an EU-UK security pact at a dinner with EU officials—the first time a British prime minister has attended a European Council meeting since Brexit.

Costa also addressed concerns regarding the post-Brexit fisheries agreement, which is set to expire in June twenty twenty-six.

While many EU member states favor a comprehensive package approach linking security, fishing rights, and a youth mobility deal, Costa maintained that these issues should be handled separately from the security pact.

Along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom for an EU-UK summit on May nineteenth, where negotiations on a range of issues are expected to open.

The summit is set against a backdrop of wider discussions, including proposals for additional European defence investments estimated at five hundred billion euros over the next decade and debates on financing through common debt.

Costa indicated that the meeting is intended to foster dialogue and explore potential solutions, without establishing firm boundaries at this stage.