British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is making strides toward revitalizing relations with the European Union (EU) following his productive meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Following his election success earlier this year, Starmer has expressed his commitment to enhancing cooperation with Brussels, signaling his intent to forge a more collaborative UK-EU relationship. This reflects the changing dynamics since the tumultuous Brexit negotiations under previous administrations, which often left Britain and the EU at loggerheads.
During his visit to Brussels, the first by a British prime minister since 2019, Starmer met with several top EU officials, including European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. These meetings set the stage for what Starmer hopes will be a reset of the UK-EU relationship, framed as "pragmatic" and "sensible." After his discussions, he emphasized the importance of putting the relationship on stable, positive footing.
Starmer addressed the intricacies of this relationship at a press conference, stating, "We will find constructive ways to work together," and acknowledging the inherent challenges. He underscored the need for improved dialogue, which he believes can facilitate more effective negotiations than those typically shaped by the previous government’s often combative stance.
Both leaders agreed to establish regular summits between their governments, with the first one scheduled for early 2025. Prior to this, they plan to reconvene in the fall to lay out their agenda for increased collaboration. Starmer's outreach has also included visits to key European capitals including Berlin, Paris, Rome, and Dublin, showcasing his commitment to mending relationships with EU member states.
Starmer's government marks a significant shift from the previous Conservative administration, characterized by divisive Brexit negotiations and internal strife, which resulted in two prime ministers resigning. The new Prime Minister believes establishing a diplomatic tone is imperative for re-engaging with Europe. "Tone does matter, resetting does matter, and it has been an important part of the message coming out of today's meeting," he stated.
Reflecting on shared interests, von der Leyen highlighted the alignment between Britain and the EU on global issues such as security and climate change. She also called for focusing on the full implementation of the withdrawal agreement, indicating there is ample scope for closer cooperation.
Despite the positivity surrounding their discussions, both leaders recognized substantial hurdles remain. Starmer has made it clear he does not intend to revert to the EU’s single market or customs union memberships nor engage with freedom of movement systems similar to those prior to Brexit. Instead, he aims to initiate specific agreements, including new veterinary deals to ease border checks, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications to promote smoother commerce.
While these proposals have been positively received by EU officials, the discussions have not been without contention. Key to these negotiations is the EU's proposed youth mobility initiative, aimed at allowing young individuals from both sides to live and work abroad for limited periods. Starmer's rejection of this plan, on the grounds of immigration concerns, signals potential obstacles as he balances progress against political backlash.
Starmer warned, "It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy," pointing out the complexity of negotiations required to address these differences. Yet, he remains optimistic about the potential for constructive dialogue between the two parties. He recognizes the need for compromises but stands firm on maintaining some red lines, particularly around immigration.
This sentiment of cautious optimism was echoed by David McAllister, a German member of the European Parliament, who expressed hope for UK flexibility on the youth mobility issue. He noted the importance of compromise for broader agreements, particularly concerning security matters which have grown increasingly significant amid global tensions.
Earlier goals set by both parties include establishing collaborative defense and foreign policy frameworks, yet EU officials await detailed proposals from the UK side. A senior EU diplomat remarked, "It is really in Starmer’s hands. We would like to normalize relations, but we are not going to beg you."
