Downing Street published a joint statement with Belgium on 12 December 2025 setting out an expanded programme of cooperation under the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Renewed Agenda agreed on 19 May 2025. The text recognises Belgium’s federal and community competences and commits both sides to sustained dialogue.
On security and defence, the two governments reaffirm NATO commitments and long-term support to Ukraine as members of the Coalition of the Willing. They will continue joint exercises and exchanges, hold regular consultations on international security challenges and disruptive threats, and intensify coordination to deter malign activity in the North Sea. Cooperation will build on the NorthSeal Platform, the JEF+ mechanism and defence‑industrial partnerships, with additional work on cyber and electronic warfare.
For public safety and the fight against organised crime, the statement commits to stronger action against terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking, drug trafficking and illicit finance. It confirms provisions for a UK–Belgium Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement, with signing targeted for 2026, and sets close coordination in Europol, Interpol and Prüm frameworks, including work to enhance data sharing. The text also signals reinforced collaboration between law enforcement, security and customs services, tighter protection of ports and logistics hubs, joint work at the IMO on safety, security and decarbonisation, and continued judicial cooperation to support complex investigations and prosecutions.
On irregular migration, the governments will expand cooperation on returns and readmissions, mutual information exchange, security technology and operational improvements, including measures at Zeebrugge Port. They will increase bilateral, regional (Calais Group) and multilateral engagement with EU member states and with countries of origin and transit to address underlying drivers. Law‑enforcement efforts will focus on disrupting and dismantling criminal networks that move people and small‑boats equipment, with upstream disruption through communications in source countries and joint investigations where appropriate. Both countries restate commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights while highlighting the need for legal frameworks that deter abuse and protect the public interest.
On growth and trade, the statement aims to reduce frictions within the TCA and the Renewed Agenda while supporting a competitive industrial base across defence, life sciences, biopharma, energy, technology and agrifood. The two sides recognise the importance of temporary mobility for business and research, plan deeper cooperation between ports-including exploratory work on autonomous shipping-and will intensify dialogue on economic security covering FDI screening, supply‑chain diversification and protection of critical infrastructure. They also confirm continued cooperation on fiscal and tax matters, respect for central‑bank autonomy, and stronger customs collaboration with targeted information for stakeholders, including SMEs.
In research, innovation and health security, both governments will strengthen links in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, AI, semiconductors and engineering biology, with universities central to delivery. They plan to deepen exchanges through Horizon Europe and bilateral initiatives, work on medical‑supply resilience and critical‑medicines shortages drawing on the UK’s membership of the EU Critical Medicines Alliance, and continue cooperation on pandemic resilience and vaccines under WHO leadership. The statement highlights closer collaboration on clinical trials, medical devices, digital health technologies and AI to support more effective and sustainable healthcare.
Energy commitments include updating the February 2022 memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation, ensuring the smooth functioning of existing interconnectors and continuing discussions on Nautilus, a proposed UK–Belgium electricity interconnector, with full regard for legislation and regulatory roles. Annual security‑of‑supply exchanges and biennial bilateral energy dialogues are planned, alongside wider cooperation through the North Sea Summit, including potential work on low‑carbon hydrogen.
The two sides also aim to conclude in the first half of 2026 a bilateral arrangement under the London Protocol to enable cross‑border transport of CO2 for permanent geological storage. They plan to establish green shipping corridors to support maritime decarbonisation and to explore further cooperation on nuclear energy to help secure reliable, competitive low‑carbon supplies.
The statement records the involvement of Belgium’s federal government, the Governments of Flanders and Wallonia, the Brussels Capital Region and the French and German Communities, while confirming that nothing in the text alters the division of competences within the Kingdom of Belgium.
Policy Wire analysis: The document puts deliverables into 2026-most notably the Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement and a London Protocol CO2 arrangement-while creating recurring processes such as annual security‑of‑supply exchanges and biennial energy dialogues. It signals closer coordination on North Sea infrastructure and port security, and gives research institutions a basis to plan joint work under Horizon Europe with Belgian partners, all within the TCA framework.