The EU's ambassador to the UK has said Brexit reduced opportunities for young Britons and that the UK's absence from the bloc is missed, as the UK prepares to rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange programme.
Jukka Salovaara, a Finnish diplomat who has also served as his country's ambassador to the United Nations, made the comments during a visit to Manchester. He said both the UK and the EU have lost out since Brexit, declaring that their interests are now "very, very close".
Ambassador expresses regret over Brexit
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Salovaara said: "While everyone respects the Brexit decision, there is, of course, regret the UK left."
He added: "I feel that the UK and EU are in the same boat. Our interests are very, very close. The UK is missing from the mix. The UK was an important EU member, so that's something that we miss."
His comments came as the UK prepares to rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange programme, which it left following Brexit, with participation due to resume in January 2027.
Youth summit held in Manchester
Mr Salovaara was in Manchester for the fourth EU-UK Youth Dialogue summit on November 5 and 6, the first time the event has been held in the city. Around 200 people aged between 18 and 30 attended the summit, held at a Manchester University campus, which brought together young people to discuss their opportunities in the continent.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig also gave speeches at the summit.
Speaking about his visit to the city, Mr Salovaara said: "Manchester has a great industrial past but the story now is how it has reinvented itself into this very dynamic region. It has a positive image. It's been a rewarding experience. It's good to see the outlook of the young people, that they're eager to open up more opportunities, and how much they feel they're European at heart."
Return to Erasmus+ and future relations
The return to Erasmus+ is expected to open up opportunities not only for university students but also schools, teachers, training organisations and sports associations. It is understood that there will be at least 100,000 participants from the UK.
The UK formally left the student exchange scheme under Boris Johnson's Brexit deal in 2020. The then-prime minister argued that leaving Erasmus was a "tough decision", but claimed the programme was "extremely expensive". It was replaced by the UK-funded Turing Scheme, which provided opportunities for international student exchanges and placements.
In 2025, Keir Starmer's government started the process of re-joining through a post-Brexit policy reset.
Mr Salovaara said the programme would be particularly valuable for the city region. "This would really open up more doors for young people in Greater Manchester," he said. "It's an international city, so I'm sure people will take the full benefit of it."
The ambassador's comments come ahead of the next UK-EU summit in Brussels on November 20, where leaders are expected to discuss the future of the relationship, including cooperation on security, trade and opportunities for young people.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to Labour's 2024 election manifesto, which ruled out a return of free movement, single market membership or a customs union. Any changes, he said, would require a mandate at a general election. Earlier this week, Mr Burnham claimed public opinion on Brexit "has changed", both nationally and in his constituency of Makerfield.
Asked whether he would like to see Britain re-join the bloc, Mr Salovaara said the decision was ultimately for the British people. "Well, that's an issue for the UK people and of course there's a debate on the future options the UK may have," he said. "The UK needs to decide its ambition, what it wants to have with the EU, and then you can really engage. There's a very pragmatic outlook."
He also emphasised the importance of geography and the close economic ties between the two sides, arguing that cooperation was inevitable. He added: "The main thing is that proximity matters, and the UK is in Europe. The UK-EU relationship is bound to be very close. We trade so much with one another."
Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has urged "members right across the House to work with the British Council, get their institutions engaged". Downing Street was contacted for comment.
