UK forges new ties with EU in post-Brexit era

Britain and the European Union yesterday reached a landmark deal setting out closer ties on defence and trade, launching a new chapter after the UK's acrimonious exit from the bloc five years ago.

The defence deal will mean more regular security talks and the potential for London to fully tap into a 150-billion-euro defence fund being set up by the EU.

The two sides agreed to lift controls imposed on UK exports to the bloc, in exchange for Britain extending EU fishing rights in British waters for a further 12 years.