EU Develops New Youth Mobility Plan with UK

According to reports, EU member states are working on a new proposal for a youth mobility scheme with the UK, following the rejection of a previous proposal in April.

This effort is part of a broader attempt to reset EU-UK relations, led by the new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and other EU leaders have expressed concerns about the decline in interaction between young people from the UK and the EU since Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that a youth mobility scheme could help rebuild these connections, emphasising that such a program is distinct from migration and free movement, as it involves visa requirements and limited stays.

The rejected proposal from April would have allowed citizens to work or study for up to four years, but it was quickly dismissed by Labour due to Brexit-related concerns. EU countries now aim to present a more acceptable version, possibly excluding students to address concerns about financial imbalances and political feasibility.

Youth mobility programs already exist between the UK and countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. EU leaders hope to create similar opportunities with the UK, focusing on fostering cultural exchanges and building “soft power” through people-to-people connections.

Starmer recently met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss resetting relations with France and the wider EU, as part of his broader agenda to strengthen the UK economy through improved international relations.

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