Starmer meets Biden: UK-US relations stronger than ever

(Patria) - New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday hailed the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States at his first one-on-one meeting with President Joe Biden, where the two also celebrated England's victory in the Euro 2024 semi-final.

A few days after Starmer was convincingly elected, he joined Biden in the Oval Office of the White House. The American leader joked that England's victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday, which sent England to the final, belonged to the new leader of Britain, Reuters reported.

Starmer was in Washington for a NATO leaders' meeting, his first international summit. With Biden, he spoke about Britain's historical and cultural ties with the United States, about the connection that has been called the "special relationship".

"The special relationship is so important. It was forged in difficult circumstances and has lasted so long and is now stronger than ever," Starmer said.

"I am very pleased to be able to come so early in my government to recommit to NATO, to recommit to the special relationship and to discuss these matters with you."

They joked about England's success in the football competition.

Starmer suggested that England could win Euro 24, while Biden responded that the victory over the Netherlands was "really good news".

"It's all because of the Prime Minister," Biden joked.

Earlier, Starmer, who will attend the final on Sunday, watched part of the match with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

"I started watching the match with the Dutch Prime Minister, but we left at a score of 1-1," Starmer said.

Biden laughed and said, "And you're still talking to each other?"