British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as part of his push for a reset with the European Union and as a first chance to discuss issues like trade, security and youth mobility with Brussels.
Starmer, whose Labour Party won an election in July, has said his government will not seek a wholesale negotiation of the Brexit deal that took Britain out of the EU in 2020. But he is looking to tweak the relationship in a range of areas.
“I firmly believe that the British public wants a return to pragmatic, sensible leadership when it comes to dealing with our closest neighbours,” Starmer said on Wednesday after arriving in Brussels.
“We are determined to put this relationship back on a stable, positive footing that I think we all want to see.”
Starmer has already visited Berlin, Paris, Rome and Dublin since the election to lay the groundwork for a reset.
The European Union shares his desire for a joint security pact, but talks on barriers to the movement of goods and people could prove thornier.
“We should explore the scope for more cooperation while we focus on the full and faithful implementation of the withdrawal agreement,” von der Leyen said.
A Commission spokesperson on Monday described the meeting with von der Leyen as the “beginning of a conversation,” on how the relationship between Britain and the bloc could evolve.
As well as von der Leyen, Starmer will also hold talks with European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola on Wednesday.
Starmer has ruled out any return to the EU’s single market, its customs union or freedom of movement arrangements
But he has pledged to seek a new veterinary agreement aimed at reducing border checks and also wants the mutual recognition of certain professional qualifications, and easier access to the EU for artists on tour.
While Starmer’s warmer tone has been welcomed by EU leaders, both sides have recognised that changes in the substance of the relationship will be subject to tough negotiation, even if the main tenets of the Brexit settlement are not touched.
For instance, the British PM has said there are no plans for a youth mobility scheme, rejecting an EU proposal to allow 18- to 30-year-old EU citizens to live in Britain and young Britons to stay in the EU for up to four years.
Youth mobility is a key EU demand, and London’s acceptance, perhaps in a watered-down form, may be a condition for moving forward on Britain’s wish list.
The EU’s ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, played down the notion that the proposal was a stumbling block last week. He likened it to a “gap year” that would not give EU citizens the right to work in Britain.
Analysts say Starmer’s Labour government could be tempted by a limited exchange programme if it helps to achieve its overarching objective of boosting economic growth.