PARIS, Sept. 2 – Though described by European leaders as a “friend and partner,” Keir Starmer, who assumed the British premiership in July, has given no indication of reversing Brexit or rejoining the European single market, Xinhua reported.
However, eight years after Brexit strained Britain’s relations with the EU, Starmer’s choice of Germany and France for his first visits signals a desire to recalibrate relations, particularly in trade with EU members.
At the 4th meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) held in Britain in July, Starmer indicated readiness to reset Britain’s strained post-Brexit relations with Europe, especially as the region confronts “generational challenges.”
Following the long tradition of viewing Germany as key to improving relations with Europe, Starmer kicked off his EU visit in Germany where he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
During the meeting, Scholz said that he was “pleased” with the Starmer’s announcement that he would seek a “fresh start” in relations with the EU.
“Given the common challenges our two countries face, we are convinced that the time has come to take our bilateral relations to the next level,” said a joint declaration on deepening and enhancing UK-Germany relations issued during Starmer’s visit.
Both permanent members of the UN Security Council with nuclear weapons, Britain and France maintained frosty relations relations during the years of Brexit negotiations.
It was not until 2023 that French President Emmanuel Macron and then British PM Rishi Sunak broke the ice with a financial deal on the illegal migration, followed by Britain’s King Charles III’s first-ever state visit to France.
After Starmer’s meeting with Macron on Thursday, the British foreign ministry said that the two leaders “agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months.”
