New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted dozens of European leaders on Thursday as he gets to work repairing relationships strained by the Conservative Party's tumultuous Brexit years.
UK Opposition Leader Keir Starmer made a firm commitment on Thursday that a future Labour government under his leadership would maintain Britain's adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights. He emphasized a more compassionate approach to addressing irregular migration issues.
This stance marks a clear departure from the previous Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak. Sunak had considered withdrawing from the convention, largely due to pressure from his party's right wing. The former Prime Minister had argued against "foreign courts" interfering with Britain's plans to deport migrants to Rwanda.
In a separate but related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong disapproval of any behind-the-scenes negotiations with Russia that exclude Ukraine. His comments came in response to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at a summit held at Britain's historic Blenheim Palace, Zelensky urged his European counterparts to maintain a united front in supporting Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian leader stressed the importance of solidarity among European nations in the face of the ongoing conflict.
Resetting relations
Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide election win over the Tories two weeks ago, has pledged to "reset" Britain's relationship with European allies as they grapple with challenges ranging from supporting Kyiv after Russia's invasion to breaking up people-smuggling gangs.
"The EPC [European Political Community] will fire the starting gun on this government's new approach to Europe, one that will not just benefit us now, but for generations to come," Starmer said before the one-day summit at the stately home near Oxford, southern England.
The EPC, a new 'platform for political coordination' was initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron in June 2022.
It was meant to allow non-EU states, and specifically Ukraine, that was facing the Russian invasion since February of that year, to engage in closer cooperatoin with Brussels.
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, and European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, supported the proposal. The inaugural meeting of the EPC was held in Prague on 6 October. This 'EU+ summit' was hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and attended by representatives of 43 countries, ie delegations from the EU-27, the Western Balkans and other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Turkey.
Starmer will tell fellow leaders that the UK will take "a more active and greater convening role on the world stage, to strike genuine partnerships that have impact on people's lives," the government said.
He will also say that border security will be "at the heart of the government's reset with Europe".
(With newswires)
