Five European leaders have called for closer ties between the European Union and Britain ahead of a crucial EU-UK summit in Brussels later this month.

In a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, the leaders of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark said deeper cooperation on clean energy would benefit both sides. The letter was signed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

The five leaders described the UK as a "close partner in the energy transition", adding that Britain's integration into the EU's internal electricity market was "necessary to unlock the full potential of the North Sea area and transform it into the largest clean energy hub in the world". They called on both sides to agree during the summit "on a path towards the conclusion of these negotiations".

Summit on 20 November

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet Ms von der Leyen and Mr Costa in Brussels on 20 November, where the two sides hope to sign deals on food and drink, carbon emissions and youth exchange. The five countries also want the two sides to speed up work on another area of negotiation: Britain's return to the EU's internal electricity market.

The letter comes as leaked draft papers for the summit, seen by Sky News, show the EU seeking a financial contribution from the UK in exchange for access to its single electricity market. A British government source has said the UK will not agree to the EU's demand that Britain halt deportations of European offenders, which is also set out in the draft papers.