EU and UK: a post-Brexit milestone on Election Observation Missions (EOMs)

The arrangement, signed by Peter M. Wagner, Head of the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and his UK counterpart, Annabel Gerry, Human Development Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, marks an important step in restoring practical cooperation in EOM after Brexit.

Since the UK left the EU, its election experts had no longer been able to participate in missions organised by the EU. Their return is a significant development, given their long-standing experience and expertise in election observation.

Security and defence partnership created opening

The breakthrough follows the EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership agreed in May 2025. That partnership included a reference to cooperation on promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in third countries, creating an opportunity to explore renewed UK participation in EU Election Observation Missions.

Building on that basis, work began last autumn to prepare the ground for negotiations. FPI launched discussions with the Secretariat-General's UK unit, as well as with the relevant divisions in the European External Action Service (EEAS) dealing with election observation missions and the UK.

Preparatory work led to negotiations this year

In parallel, FPI worked with the Commission's Legal Service on adapting existing administrative arrangement models so they could be used for the UK. After receiving the necessary green light from the Interinstitutional Relations Group (GRI), negotiations were formally launched earlier this year.

The result is a cost-free arrangement designed to serve the EU's strategic interests. It broadens cooperation with like-minded partners in the field of election observation, while also contributing to closer EU-UK relations in a practical area of shared values.

Part of wider cooperation with like-minded partners

With the new arrangement in place, the UK joins Canada and Norway, which concluded similar agreements with the EU in 2018 and 2019. The move underlines the EU's broader approach of working with trusted international partners to support democratic processes around the world.

Election Observation Missions are a key EU instrument for promoting credible and transparent elections in third countries. By bringing British observers back into this framework, the EU gains access once again to a pool of knowledgeable and experienced experts.

Switzerland next in line

Following the agreement with the UK, FPI will begin negotiations with Switzerland. The aim will be to regularise existing cooperation through a similar administrative arrangement.

The new EU-UK deal represents more than a technical step. It signals a renewed willingness to cooperate on democracy support and human rights, and it has opened the door to broader collaboration with close partners in election observation.