Sir Keir Starmer today vowed to ‘make Brexit work’ and put the UK-EU relationship on a ‘stable, positive footing’ as he arrived in Brussels for talks with top Eurocrats.
After greeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the PM said there was a ‘duty’ for the UK and EU to work together in ‘dangerous times’.
As well as talks with Ms Von der Leyen, Sir Keir also held meetings with European Council chief Charles Michel and the European Parliament’s Roberta Metsola.
The PM has vowed to ‘reset’ Britain’s relationship with the EU and is seeking closer ties with Brussels, although he has pledged not to rejoin the bloc’s single market or customs union.Â
But Sir Keir is under pressure to make concessions on free movement rules, migration, and fishing rights.
EU leaders want the PM to agree to a youth mobility scheme to give young Europeans greater freedom to come to the UK to study and work – and vice versa for young Britons.
Sir Keir has so far resisted their demands and is wary of any deal that might risk a return of free movement rules for EU citizens.
Ms von der Leyen was also expected to use today’s talks to ask the PM to begin negotiations on a migrant returns deal, which could require the UK to accept a quota of asylum seekers from the bloc.
The EU has also lined up a demand for long-term access to British waters for European fishing vessels, with the current EU-UK fisheries deal due to expire at the end of June 2026.
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to ‘make Brexit work’ as he arrived in Brussels for talks with European Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen
After greeting Ms von der Leyen, the PM said there was a ‘duty’ for the UK and EU to work together in ‘dangerous times’
On his arrival in the Belgian capital on his first visit as premier, Sir Keir said: ‘I firmly believe that the British public wants to return to pragmatic, sensible leadership when it comes to dealing with our closest neighbours.
‘To make Brexit work and to deliver in their interests to find ways to boost economic growth, strengthen our security and tackle shared challenges like irregular migration and climate change.’
Sir Keir also highlighted the UK and EU’s continued cooperation over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Middle East crisis.
‘In dangerous times we have a duty to work together to preserve stability and security,’ he added.
‘We are determined to put this relationship back on a stable, positive footing that I think we all want to see.’
Speaking later at a press conference in Brussels following today’s meetings, Sir Keir acknowledged there would be ‘issues which are difficult to resolve’ in his talks with the EU.
He told reporters: ‘We’ve agreed to hold regular UK-EU summits at leader level to review progress, starting with a summit in the first half of next year.
‘Of course, there will be issues which are difficult to resolve and areas on which we will stand firm.
‘There will be no return to freedom of movement, no return to the customs union, no return to the single market.
‘But we will find constructive ways to work together and deliver for the British people.’
Ms Von der Leyen, who also met with Sir Keir at a United Nations summit in New York last week, said ‘close alignment’ on global issues was a ‘good foundation’ for talks on the UK-EU relationship.
‘In these very uncertain times, like-minded partners like us must cooperate more closely,’ she said.
‘We have a set of solid agreements in place, we should explore the scope for more cooperation while we focus on the full and faithful implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement).
‘We have a lot to discuss today and I’m very much looking forward to working with you and to continue to strengthen our relations.’
