BRUSSELS, Belgium: Top officials from Britain and the European Union on Monday held their first face-to-face talks in Brussels as the new Labour government looks to “reset” ties after Brexit.
Britain´s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer -- who won a huge majority at elections this month -- has vowed to turn a page with the EU after years of bad blood under the previous Conservative government.
In a first step, Britain´s minister for EU relations Nick Thomas-Symonds had a sit-down with Brussels´ pointman on ties with the UK Maros Sefcovic. “As we work to reset the relationship, we discussed strengthening security and economic co-operation - to create a safer and more prosperous Europe,” Thomas-Symonds wrote on X. Sefcovic described the meeting as constructive and said he was “looking forward to our cooperation”. Britain´s new prime minister has vowed to reduce trade frictions with the EU, and forge closer security arrangements.
But Starmer is also adamant his government will never reverse Brexit nor seek to be part of the European single market. The EU has said it is willing to consider proposals from London to improve ties, but is unwilling to reopen the painstakingly negotiated deals that sealed Britain´s exit from the bloc.
Starmer -- who kicked off his premiership with a trip to Nato´s Washington summit last week -- will host leaders from around Europe at a meeting in Britain´s Blenheim Palace on Thursday.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is seen at FBI headquarters in Washington, US June 14, 2018. — ReutersNEW...
Astronaut Wang Haoze will become the third Chinese woman to take part in a crewed mission when the Shenzhou-19 team...
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gestures as he attends a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon,...
A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during Russian military drills on October 29, 2024. — Russian...
The spot where an explosion occurred in a firework storage facility near Hindu temple at Nileshwaram, in the sourthern...
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, right, looks at graffiti on the walls of Dhaka...