London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – British PM Keir Starmer travelled to Brussels on an assignment to try to enhance ties with the European Union, which disintegrated as the nation left the world’s biggest trading bloc four years ago.
PM Starmer wanted to concentrate his talks on security, migration and trade. He was due to hold discussions with the leaders of the bloc’s main institutions: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
How will Starmer strengthen ties with the EU?
“The U.K. is undeniably more powerful when it works in lockstep with its closest international partners. This has never been more important – with war, competition and insecurity all knocking on Europe’s door,”
Starmer expressed in a statement released by his office ahead of the one-day trip. Starmer stated that he is
“determined to put the Brexit years behind us and found a more pragmatic and mature connection with the European Union.”
How does Starmer plan to address post-Brexit barriers?
Better cooperation, he stated,
“will deliver the benefits the British people deserve – securing our borders, keeping us safe and boosting economic growth.”
He has promised to reduce some of the post-Brexit barriers for people and goods that have damaged ties between Britain and the bloc. Starmer demands though that he won’t reverse Brexit, or rejoin the EU’s single market and customs union.
The EU, for its part, wants to build bridges between young people on either side of the English Channel by introducing a scheme that would allow young EU and U.K. citizens to study, work and live for short periods in the U.K. and the EU respectively. Proponents of Brexit oppose it.
Since his centre-left Labour Party’s resounding election win on July 4, Starmer has sought a larger part for Britain on the global stage after years of soured links with Europe over Brexit.