Committee publication · Correspondence · 2 June 2026
Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office to EAC and FAC Chairs, relating to the Prime Minister's attendance at the European Political Community summit (EPC), dated 13 May 2026
Summary
The Minister for the Cabinet Office updates the European Affairs and Foreign Affairs Committee chairs on the Prime Minister's attendance at the eighth European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Armenia on 4 May 2026. The PM participated in discussions on European security, Ukraine support, Middle East de-escalation, and migration, and agreed new UK-Armenia strategic partnerships and negotiations on EU innovation and growth funds.
Key findings
- Prime Minister participated in European security panel alongside von der Leyen, Macron, and Meloni, emphasising Europe's defence responsibility and UK support for Ukraine.
- UK announced opening of negotiations for formal participation in £78 billion loan to Ukraine, alongside broader European cooperation meeting.
- UK and Italy coordinated joint statement on illegal migration signed by 34 European leaders, committing to surveillance, humanitarian assistance, and targeting organised immigration crime.
- UK and EU agreed to begin negotiations on UK participation in European Innovation Council Fund and Scaleup Europe Fund (multi-billion pound growth fund).
- Prime Minister agreed new UK-Armenia Strategic Partnership covering defence, security, economic growth, and democratic resilience.
Tone
FactualTopics
european-securityukrainemiddle-eastmigrationtrade-and-investment
Key actors
Prime Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Nikol Pashinyan, Mark Rutte, Nick Thomas-Symonds
Notable line
“The UK continues to regard the EPC as a valuable forum to advance progress on shared challenges with European partners.”
Key Quotes
“… the Prime Minister emphasised the need for Europe to take responsibility for its defence and security, highlighted the importance of de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz”
“Following the Prime Minister's meeting with Commission President von der Leyen, the leaders announced the opening of negotiations regarding the Uk's formal participation in the £78 billion loan to Ukraine.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗