Starmer promises to 'fix broken relationships' with EU as PM meets with Olaf Scholz in Berlin
28 August 2024, 06:33 | Updated: 28 August 2024, 11:57
Sir Keir Starmer says the UK has a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe" as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
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The Prime Minister prepared to "turn a corner on Brexit" as he met with the European leader on Tuesday morning, launching negotiations on a new treaty aiming to boost business and increase joint action on illegal migration.
The Prime Minister is set to focus on making sure the UK moves past Brexit and rebuilds relationships with European partners during the meeting.
Sir Keir has promised to "fix broken relationships" with European countries.
He added a new defence agreement will be "at the heart" of the UK's relationship with Germany.
After Germany, Sir Keir is then expected to travel to Paris for the Paralympic opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.
He will then attend a breakfast meeting with French business leaders on Thursday morning, and a summit with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Starmer said he hopes the UK's treaty with Germany will be agreed before the end of the year as he hailed a "bright new future for UK-German relations".
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin alongside the chancellor, he said: "As today shows, Britain can advance its interests much more effectively when we work with friends and partners.
"This treaty is part of a wider reset, grounded in a new spirit of cooperation with our shared understanding that this will be developed at pace, and that we hope to have agreed it by the end of the year.
"A Britain recollected, resetting our relationship, rediscovering our common interests, delivering for working people.
"Britain and Germany already have an incredible relationship. We invest billions in each other's countries. Thousands and thousands of jobs are supported through trade, and every year millions of people travel between our two countries, exchanging ideas, collaborating, creating and connecting.
"But today we build on that, a bright new future for UK-German relations, two great countries brought closer together than ever before. The strongest strategic partners in Europe, and on the world stage."
'Turn a corner on Brexit'
Ahead of the talks, Sir Keir spoke of "turning a corner on Brexit".
"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."
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The UK's negotiation team will spend the next six months working on the 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 shut down organised immigration crime rings.
The Prime Minister will also reiterate his personal condolences to the German people following the attack in Solingen on Friday, where three people died.
While he is in Berlin, the Prime Minister is also expected to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the chief executive of Siemens Energy, Dr Christian Bruch.
In Paris, the Prime Minister's breakfast meeting is expected to include representatives from companies including Thales and Sanofi, and Sir Keir will then meet Paralympians preparing for their competitions before meeting the French President at the Elysee Palace.
Last month at the EPC summit held at Blenheim Palace, Sir Keir said the UK would be a "friend and a partner ready to work" with Europe, and that "we can only make progress on the issues that so many people care about, like illegal migration and national security, if we have the maturity and leadership to reach out a hand to our European friends"
