Speaking at a NATO summit press conference in Washington, Britain’s new prime minister said his country needed to “reset” its relationship with the EU.
The new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said that UK to ‘reset’ relations with EUduring a press conference organized on the occasion of the NATO summit in Washington.
“This is a reset of our relationship. I think a lot of people felt after Brexit that the UK had become too inward-looking.”Keir Starmer said at the 75th anniversary meeting of the Atlantic Alliance.
The Labour Prime Minister, however, clarified that:he did not envisage the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union, from which it officially withdrew in 2020.
Keir Starmer led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in the British general election on 4 July, ending 14 consecutive years of Conservative government in the United Kingdom.
During his campaign for the post of Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU, the single market or customs unions, saying it would only bring “trouble” to the debate, but said he wanted to re-engage with Brussels..
Joe Biden, who has been critical of the Brexit deal negotiated by Boris Johnson, has supported the ambitions of the new British Prime Minister to bring his country closer to the European Union.
“I see you as the knot that unites the transatlantic alliance, because of your proximity to Europe. We know where you are, you know where we are.”he said during his first meeting with Keir Starmer last week.
Resetting relations within the UK
Keir Starmer met Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is set to take the lead in diplomacy of the European Union, on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
He told GB News: “I have been clear with the international leaders here: we want to reset relations with all countries, whether they are members of the EU or not”.
“NATO is the cornerstone of our defence in Europe, and working with European allies on security has never been more important than it is right now.”he added.
Last week, The Prime Minister has travelled across the UK to renew relations with WestminsterHe visited Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where tensions have been heightened by Brexit-related border controls.
Next week he will meet with the Irish and French presidents. The war in Ukraine will be the main topic on the agenda, but immigration and “democracy” will also be discussed in the context of the Rise of the far right in Europe.