UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accepted an invitation to attend an 'informal' meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on Feb. 3, marking the first time a UK prime minister will participate in such a gathering since the country's departure from the bloc in 2020.
The invitation was extended by European Council President António Costa during a meeting at Starmer's office at 10 Downing St. The prime minister's office expressed his pleasure in accepting the invitation and his anticipation of discussing enhanced strategic cooperation with the EU, particularly in the realm of defense.
Furthermore, the UK and the EU have agreed to hold regular leader-level summits, commencing in early 2025.
During the meeting between Starmer and Costa, the two officials deliberated on providing support to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia and the evolving situation in Syria. They emphasized the significance of facilitating a peaceful transition towards enduring political stability post the fall of President Bashar Assad's regime.
Starmer, whose Labour Party assumed power in July, aims to 'reset' UK relations with the EU after years of discord, focusing on strengthening security cooperation and revitalizing some of the trade relationships strained by Brexit.
While Starmer was a proponent of remaining in the EU during the 2016 Brexit referendum, he has ruled out reversing the decision or rejoining the EU's single market and customs union, which would entail adhering to many of the bloc's regulations. Additionally, he has resisted calls to establish a youth mobility agreement that would enable young individuals from the UK and the EU to live and work in each other's territories temporarily, with a spokesperson affirming that there are currently no plans for such an arrangement.
