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European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen and new British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are to organise a gathering inside weeks to speed up a “reset” of relations three years after the UK left the bloc.
Von der Leyen was absent from the 2 massive worldwide occasions Starmer attended since his election victory on July 4 as she was campaigning for a second time period as Brussels’ strongest official.
Her crew hoped to see Starmer this week however at the moment are engaged on a late August or early September assembly, officers accustomed to the plans stated.
Starmer outlined his intention to forge a brand new relationship with Europe final week when he hosted a gathering of the European Political Community at Blenheim Palace with virtually 50 leaders of EU and non-EU states.
Charles Michel, European Council president, attended and stated he hoped the reset might be placed on a proper footing at a UK-EU bilateral summit within the coming months “in order that we are able to present that this relationship is a strategic one”.
Starmer is hoping to carry the talks with Von der Leyen “within the close to future”, in accordance with his aides, because the prime minister seeks to keep up momentum with the EU.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Starmer’s ministerial EU envoy, advised the Monetary Instances final week he wished to arrange a “structured dialogue” in order that EU and UK ministers and officers might meet often to debate points comparable to safety, commerce, irregular migration and power.
Rishi Sunak, former Conservative prime minister, started the method of repairing post-Brexit relations with Brussels final yr when he negotiated with von der Leyen the Windsor settlement, which resolved tensions over Northern Eire buying and selling guidelines.
However Sunak most popular to deal straight with EU member states, notably Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, slightly than with Brussels establishments. Starmer’s assembly with von der Leyen will search to vary that dynamic.
Starmer has stated he’s searching for higher commerce phrases with the EU, together with a veterinary settlement to clean offers on agricultural items, whereas UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has instructed that Britain might align with EU laws in areas comparable to chemical substances.
However Starmer’s insistence that Britain is not going to rejoin the customs union, single market or restore free motion locations an enormous impediment in the best way of deeper integration, given Brussels’ long-standing opposition to “cherry choosing” advantages accessible to EU members.
“The UK has purple strains that restrict what could be carried out,” stated an EU official. “However there may be goodwill on each side. The president labored effectively with the earlier authorities and needs to proceed with the brand new authorities.”
One other official stated the EU was in “listening mode”. “Let’s see what they’ve to supply.”
Von der Leyen’s pitch for one more 5 years in workplace included elevated co-operation with London. “We’ll work to strengthen relations with the UK on problems with shared curiosity, comparable to power, safety, resilience and people-to-people contacts.”
The fee in April proposed a deal to permit 18- to 30-year-olds to study and work overseas. However Labour, then in opposition, rejected the concept on the idea that it inspired immigration.
Von der Leyen’s spokesperson declined to remark. Downing Road officers stated that “plans to satisfy are in practice”.
