Starmer expresses desire to restore relations with EU

(Patria) - Keir Starmer will attend a meeting of European Union leaders early next year, becoming the first British Prime Minister to do so since the country's exit from the bloc in 2020.

According to the Associated Press, Starmer was invited by European Council President Antonio Costa to an "informal" meeting to be held in Brussels on February 3rd.

The two officials met yesterday at Starmer's office at 10 Downing Street.

Starmer's office announced that the Prime Minister "is pleased to accept the invitation and looks forward to discussing enhanced strategic cooperation with the EU, particularly in the area of defense".

The United Kingdom and the EU have also agreed to hold regular leader-level summits, starting in early 2025.

At yesterday's meeting, Starmer and Costa discussed support for Ukraine in its nearly three-year war against Russia and the constantly changing situation in Syria.

A joint statement from the UK and the EU stated that they "agree on the importance of ensuring a peaceful transition towards long-term political stability following the fall of the brutal regime of (President Bashar) Al-Assad".

Starmer further stated that he wants to "re-establish" Britain's relationship with the EU after years of disagreements, deepening security cooperation and restoring some of the trade links that Brexit has weakened.

Although he supported remaining in the bloc during the 2016 Brexit referendum, Starmer has ruled out reversing the decision or rejoining the EU's borderless single market and customs union, which would require the UK to accept many of the bloc's rules.

He has also resisted pressure to agree to a youth mobility scheme that would allow young people from the UK and the EU to live and work in the other country for a period.

A spokesperson for Starmer stated that there are "no plans" for such an agreement.