British Prime Minister Keir Starmer travelled to Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
Starmer is in Europe for two days of meetings designed to show the UK wants to “reset” its ties with the EU after years of Brexit issues.
Sir Keir and Macron were among the spectators at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday night. Starmer is scheduled to have a breakfast meeting with French business leaders and a summit with Macron at the Élysée Palace.
The prime minister will outline plans for a new pact with Germany, including “deeper links” in several areas. He agreed that a deal with Germany would be concluded by the end of the year after talks with his counterpart Scholz, and said it was a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity.
I’m absolutely clear that we do want a reset. I have been able to repeat that here today, a reset with Europe, a reset with the EU. That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union, but it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges, but we do not have plans for a youth mobility scheme.
However, Starmer also claimed he had “clear red lines” ahead of talks with the EU on the future relationship.
