Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, is heading to Brussels to attend a meeting of European Union leaders. This marks the first time a British Prime Minister has travelled to the EU since Brexit. The main focus of the talks will centre on cooperation on defence and security, and will feature a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Starmer refers to the trip as part of the “reset” between Britain and the EU.
The UK government has previously confirmed that they will not re-join the EU’s single market or customs union, nor will they agree to freedom of movement. However, ministers do want a better relationship on defence and security, crime and trade. There are hopes to resolve these matters by spring 2025 and to finalise it at a UK-EU summit, which will take place in April or May.
The 27 member states of the European Union are gathering for what is being referred to as an “informal retreat” at a 16th century palace in the heart of Brussels, the Palais d’Egmont. The context for the gathering is the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as the return of Donald Trump to the White House. The UK is looking to strengthen ties with the EU in terms of crime, trade, and organised crime.
More specifically, cooperation over animal produce and food products is being explored, as is cooperation over energy through the integration of emission trading schemes between the UK and the EU. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications is another possibility, as is a youth mobility scheme allowing young people from the UK and the EU to travel more easily. However, this scheme may be politically difficult to sell in the UK given its similarity to freedom of movement.
Finally, the EU has proposed the UK joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention. This isn’t a customs union, but it does remove customs on components in products from countries which have agreed to it. The UK has not ruled this out, and it is not seen as a breach of its red lines. The car industry would welcome this move, but other manufacturers could be exposed to greater competition
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