British PM Keir Starmer to renew ‘bonds of trust and friendship’ with Europe
British prime minister Keir Starmer wants to work on “renewing the bonds of trust and friendship” between the UK and the rest of Europe, he announced at a European Political Community (EPC) summit in the UK. He also stressed that under his leadership, the British people remain committed to the European Convention on Human Rights.
“We want to work with all of you to reset relationships, rediscover our common interest and renew the bonds of trust and friendship that brighten the fabric of European life,” Starmer told the European leaders at the summit held at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford.
“European security is one of the priorities of my government's foreign and defence policy,” he said. “Only if we work together can we secure our borders, drive economic growth and defend our democracies.” While the British are no longer part of the EU, they are still part of Europe. “It’s time to review our relationship with Europe,” he said.
Starmer had earlier made it clear that he wants to move closer to Europe. He plans to meet separately with the leaders of several European countries during the summit.
He is also using the summit to call for better cooperation on migration. “We need to pool our resources, share information, share tactics, close smuggling routes and beat the gangs,” he said.
In any case, the new British government will approach the issue “with humanity and with a profound respect for international law”, he promised. “That’s why we scrapped the unworkable Rwanda scheme on day one and why we will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The previous UK government introduced measures to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda and threatened to leave the European Convention on Human Rights if the scheme was blocked.
The EPC is a political forum of nearly 50 countries, created in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to discuss the continent's major strategic issues.
Britain's prime minister, Keir Starmer, waits for participants at the EPC summit at Blenheim Palace, 18 July 2024 © PHOTO LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
Related news
