British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Brussels on Wednesday in an effort to mend relations with the European Union following the country's departure from the bloc four years ago. Starmer's primary focus during the visit was on discussions related to security, migration, and trade.
He held talks with key EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Starmer emphasized the importance of collaboration with international partners, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges such as war, conflict, and insecurity in Europe.
In a statement released ahead of his trip, Starmer expressed his commitment to moving past the Brexit era and establishing a more pragmatic and mature relationship with the EU. He highlighted the potential benefits of enhanced cooperation, including securing borders, ensuring safety, and promoting economic growth.
On the EU's side, efforts are being made to foster connections between young people in the UK and the EU through a proposed scheme that would enable them to study, work, and live in each other's territories for short periods. However, this initiative faces opposition from Brexit supporters.
Since his party's decisive election victory on July 4, Starmer has been advocating for a more prominent role for Britain on the global stage, aiming to repair strained ties with Europe post-Brexit. He has pledged to address some of the barriers that have emerged in the aftermath of Brexit, while affirming that the UK will not seek to reverse its decision to leave the EU or rejoin the single market and customs union.
