Starmer and von der Leyen to hold talks on resetting UK-EU relations

Sir Keir Starmer will visit Brussels next week to meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and launch the start of talks about what he hopes will be a “reset” of the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU.

The long-awaited meeting was fixed in New York on Wednesday, after Starmer and Von der Leyen held brief discussions on the margin of the UN General Assembly.

Starmer has long spoken of his desire to reframe relations with the EU, but there has been frustration in Brussels about the lack of clarity over what exactly he wants and is prepared to concede.

The British prime minister said on X on Wednesday: “I want to reset our relationship with the EU and make Brexit work for the British people. Looking forward to visiting Brussels next week to start discussions.”

Von der Leyen responded with her own post on X, saying that she looked forward to meeting Starmer in Brussels next week to “discuss the reset of EU-UK relations”.

The two leaders have not had formal talks since Starmer became prime minister on July 4, with Von der Leyen tied up with the political process around her reappointment for a second term as Commission president.

But Starmer has met a string of EU leaders since taking office, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Olaf Scholz and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, as he seeks to repair strained relations with the bloc.

Last month Starmer, on a visit to Berlin, said he was “absolutely clear” about his desire to restore good relations with the EU eight years after the UK voted to leave the bloc.

But he added: “That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union.

“But it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges.”

The EU has proposed a youth mobility scheme for 18 to 30-year-olds as part of a deal with the UK — but Starmer has resisted anything that could be seen as the restoration of free movement.

Any improved post-Brexit deal for Britain would, however, inevitably require Starmer to make concessions to the EU.

Starmer has said he wants a veterinary agreement with the EU to smooth barriers on food and animal trade, as well as mutual recognition of professional qualifications and a deal to help British musicians more easily tour the bloc.

The prime minister also wants to sign a security pact — Britain feels it is able to make a strong contribution to European defence and intelligence — and more co-operation on tackling illegal migration.

Apart from the youth mobility deal, the EU is also expected to demand better access to British fishing waters. The talks between Starmer and Von der Leyen will mark the start of what could be a long process.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, minister for EU relations, has been charged with doing the legwork in preparing next week’s meeting in Brussels.

In an interview with the Financial Times in July, Thomas-Symonds outlined his hopes that British and EU politicians and officials would regularly get back in the room together on a scale not seen since the Brexit deal negotiations.

He said Britain wanted “structured dialogue to happen as soon as possible” to build closer ties on issues including security, trade and migration, and confirmed that Britain was also seeking an UK-EU leaders’ summit.