Starmer in Brussels to renew more 'stable and positive' relationship with EU

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised in Brussels on Wednesday to revive his country's relationship with the European Union ;eacute;enne, who is waiting for her side to learn more about his concrete intentions, after the cold shower of Brexit.

The Labour leader, who came to power in July after 14 years of Conservative government, is due to meet the heads of the main European Union institutions. He was welcomed at midday by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It is his first visit to Brussels since taking office.

“We are determined to put this relationship back on a stable and positive footing, which I think we all want,” he said on his arrival at the European Commission headquarters.

“In these very uncertain times, like-minded partners must work more closely together,” stressed Ms von der Leyen, welcoming the British head of government.

The latter has assured, since his arrival at Downing Street, that he wants to repair a relationship with his European neighbours damaged by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU in 2020 under the leadership of Boris Johnson, the Brexit champion. But the British leader is expected to be very forthcoming about what exactly he wants from the EU, and what he is prepared to give in return.

– “Clearing the fog” –

“Starmer must present his plan,” summarizes analyst Mujtaba Rahman, of Eurasia Group.

This visit “is the symbol of a desire to clear the fog that exists between the two sides of the Channel,” believes Professor Richard Whitman, a specialist in the European Union at the University of Kent, interviewed by AFP.

“But I think it is also the prelude to an awareness on the part of the United Kingdom that it will have to work hard to obtain something that allows it to boasting about improved relations,” he comments.

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Keir Starmer recently held bilateral talks with several European leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, including on cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration.

“Given London's announcement of a new start in our relations, it is truly surprising that a visit to Brussels has not yet taken place,” stressed the chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, on Wednesday.

In July, the new British Prime Minister hosted the meeting of the European Political Community in the United Kingdom, during which he pledged to rebuild bridges with the continent.

The leader, who voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, has insisted that the renewed relationship does not mean going back on Brexit, which remains a politically toxic issue in the UK.

Instead, Labour is seeking improvements to the trade and cooperation agreement with the EU, which is up for renewal in 2026.

– “Broad outlines” –

These include negotiating a new security pact with the bloc, a deal to make border checks on agricultural products less burdensome, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

The British prime minister has so far given few details of his plans. He has set red lines, ruling out joining the single market, the customs union or restoring freedom of movement.

And dampened the EU’s main proposal so far: a mobility scheme for young people aged 18 to 30.

Keir Starmer is concerned that the plan looks too much like a reintroduction of free movement, at a time when he is keen to reduce immigration, both legal and illegal.

Labour could be tempted by a limited trade scheme if it helps achieve its main goal of boosting economic growth, analysts say.

Mr Starmer already met Ms von der Leyen on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month. According to European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer, Wednesday's meeting “will only be the beginning of a conversation.”

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