British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has travelled to Berlin and Paris to discuss a new deal with Germany and building ties with Europe to overcome the impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom, LBC reports.
According to the Prime Minister, London has an opportunity to “reset our relationship with Europe” to seek a partnership that will benefit Britain.
The Prime Minister prepared to “turn the corner on Brexit” by meeting the European leader on Tuesday morning, kicking off talks on a new deal aimed at boosting business and expanding joint action on illegal migration.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister will focus on getting the UK through Brexit and rebuilding relationships with European partners. After Germany, Starmer is expected to travel to Paris for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday evening.
He will attend a breakfast meeting with French business leaders on Thursday morning, followed by a summit with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Turn a corner on Brexit
Starmer is expected to say:
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe and strive for genuine, ambitious partnerships that deliver for the British people. We must turn a corner on Brexit and fix the broken relationships left behind by the previous government. That work started at the European Political Community (EPC) meeting last month and I am determined to continue it, which is why I am visiting Germany and France this week. Strengthening our relationship with these countries is crucial, not only in tackling the global problem of illegal migration, but also in boosting economic growth across the continent and crucially in the UK – one of the key missions of my government.
The UK negotiating team will spend the next six months working on a treaty with Germany, aiming to agree a partnership by early 2025.
Sir Keir and Mr. Scholz are also expected to discuss joint action to tackle illegal migration, including further intelligence sharing to intercept and disrupt organised immigrant criminal groups.
The Prime Minister will also reiterate his personal condolences to the German people over the terrorist attack in Solingen on Friday that killed three people.
While in Berlin, the Prime Minister is expected to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Siemens Energy CEO Dr. Christian Bruch.
In Paris, representatives from companies including Thales and Sanofi are expected to attend the Prime Minister’s breakfast meeting and then Sir Keir will meet Paralympians preparing to compete before meeting the French President at the Elysee Palace.
At the EPC summit at Blenheim Palace last month, Sir Keir said the UK would be a “friend and willing partner” to Europe and that “we can only make progress on the issues that concern so many people, such as illegal migration and national security, if we have the maturity and leadership to reach out to our European friends.”
