Five European leaders have called for closer ties between the European Union and Britain ahead of a summit in Brussels, urging deeper clean-energy cooperation and faster progress on bringing the UK back into the EU's internal electricity market.

The leaders of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark made the call in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and António Costa, who leads the European Council. Von der Leyen and Costa are due to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham on 20 November, where the two sides hope to sign deals on food and drink, carbon emissions and youth exchange.

Energy at the centre

The five leaders described the UK as a close partner in the energy transition and said Britain's integration into the EU's internal electricity market was necessary to unlock the full potential of the North Sea area. The UK and nine other European countries signed a pact earlier this year to speed up offshore wind power in the North Sea.

Britain's exit from the EU's internal electricity market is seen as holding back North Sea energy development. According to the industry body Energy UK, Britain could face extra costs of £10bn from 2024 to 2029 if the current energy relationship remains unchanged, through higher bills and lower Treasury revenues.

Money remains the sticking point

Bringing Britain into the market could prove controversial, because the UK would have to contribute to the EU budget, specifically to cohesion funds that support poorer regions. British officials are wary of taxpayers' money funding infrastructure projects in central and eastern Europe.

Negotiations on Britain's entry into a €150bn EU defence fund collapsed last year over the size of the UK's contribution. The five leaders are trying to head off a similar row, arguing the deal would bring lower and more stable energy prices.

**Sources:** [The Guardian via EuropeSays](https://www.europesays.com/europe/176379/) | [Brussels Morning](https://brusselsmorning.com/eu-uk-summit-brussels-november-2026/105267/)