London, Feb 2 (EFE).- United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday pledged to “reset” the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union but ruled out rejoining the bloc, which the UK left in 2020.
Starmer made the remarks during the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the UK, and ahead of his meeting with European Council leaders in Brussels on Monday to discuss UK-EU relations.
“I have been very clear (…) that I do want a reset of the relationship between the UK and the EU. That does not involve a return to the European Union. We had a referendum here on that, and that matter is settled,” he said.
Starmer emphasized the need for a “closer relationship” with the EU in areas such as defense, security, energy, trade, and the economy.
“I think that is certainly in the UK’s best interest, I do believe it’s in the EU’s best interest, and already I hope that in the last seven months there has been a manifest difference in approach, tone and relationship,” he added.
The UK officially left the EU five years ago following the 2016 referendum in which British voters chose to exit the bloc.
Meanwhile, Starmer described his meeting with Chancellor Scholz as “important,” stressing that both nations share a “common approach on key issues and challenges,” including the war in Ukraine.
“When I started as prime minister seven months ago now, I was determined to strengthen the relationship between our two countries,” he said.
Both leaders framed the meeting as an opportunity to enhance bilateral ties, particularly following the UK-Germany defense agreement signed in October.
Chancellor Scholz described his visit to the UK as “a good sign of the very good relations between our two countries.”
Monday’s meeting in Brussels will mark Starmer’s first official engagement with all 27 EU leaders since assuming office in July 2024.
A key topic on the agenda is the EU’s proposed youth mobility program, which the Labour government has so far resisted due to migration concerns.
The initiative would allow people aged 18 to 30 from both the UK and the EU to study, work, or live in each other’s territories for up to four years. EFE
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