Starmer to host first UK-EU summit since Brexit

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts European Union (EU) chiefs on May 19 for a landmark summit designed to usher in a closer relationship, five years after Brexit.

The meeting in London is expected to deliver the first results from his much-heralded “reset” of Britain’s ties with its European neighbours following the rancour of the post-Brexit years.

On May 17, Downing Street announced the Labour leader would be striking a deal for a “strengthened, forward-looking partnership” with the 27 EU members. Mr Starmer said it would be “good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders”.

Talks were going down the wire to resolve squabbling over longstanding issues, including fishing rights and a youth mobility scheme. Negotiators were hopeful of at least signing a defence and security partnership.

It would mark a symbolic step in turning the page on the animosity that followed Britain’s exit from the bloc in January 2020.

“There are still some details to resolve but it’s quite positive, and we’re going to get there,” said one European diplomat, who asked not to be named.

“There is a real willingness on the British side to move closer to the EU on economic issues.”

Easing barriers

Mr Starmer, who came to power in last July’s general election ousting the Conservative Party, wants a deeper relationship with the EU than the one painfully negotiated by the Tories.

But he has several red lines he has said he will not cross. Sticking points remain over some EU demands, and the Conservatives are already criticising the reset move as a “surrender”.

If negotiators clear the final hurdles, then inking the “Security and Defence Partnership” will be the highlight of the May 19 sit-down featuring Mr Starmer and EU bosses Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and chief diplomat Kaja Kallas.

Two other documents are expected on May 19 – a joint statement of European solidarity from the EU-UK leaders summit, and a Common Understanding which includes some measures to ease some Brexit trade barriers.

The talks come as the EU and Britain race to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that US President Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe.

The defence partnership should mean more regular security talks, Britain possibly joining EU military missions and the potential for London to fully tap a €150 billion (S$218 billion) defence fund being set up by the bloc.

But much of the detail is likely to be filled in later – giving Britain and its defence industry unfettered access to the EU programmes, for instance, would require further agreement.

Britain already has intertwined defence ties with 23 EU countries in Nato, so the defence pact was always seen as the easiest deal on the table.

Fish and mobility

“I think we should keep our sense of the importance of this relatively tempered,” said Ms Olivia O’Sullivan, director of the UK in the World programme at the Chatham House think-tank.

“It’s the next step in closer cooperation... but not a resolution of many of the outstanding questions,” she told AFP.

Mr Starmer has ruled out rejoining the Customs union and single market, but has suggested Britain is ready for dynamic alignment with the EU on food and agricultural products.

Europe Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, Britain’s chief negotiator, said on May 18 the government would be willing to align with EU rules in some areas.

“Red tape, all the certifications that are required, we absolutely want to reduce that,” he told the BBC on May 18, describing how food was rotting as lorries waited hours to cross borders.

EU diplomats in Brussels have been working to get Britain to keep its waters open for European fishermen in return for easing the checks on some food imports from Britain.

“The British remain difficult but discussions are continuing,” the European diplomat said.

Mr Starmer has rejected a return to freedom of movement but is open to a limited youth mobility scheme that would allow some British and European 18- to 30-year-olds to study and work in Britain and vice versa.

He is approaching it cautiously amid rising support for Mr Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration and Euro-sceptic party Reform UK.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said any scheme would be “smart and controlled”. AFP