Starmer First UK PM to join the meeting of EU leaders after Brexit

Sir Keir Starmer heads to Brussels to join a rally of European Union leaders – the first time that a British Prime Minister does from Brexit.

Starmer goes to the English channel for conferences focused on defense and security cooperation and will also meet the secretary general of NATO, Mark Rutte.

The trip is part of what he calls a “reset” between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The government has promised that the United Kingdom will not join the single market or the EU customs union, or register for freedom of movement.

But the ministers want what they consider a better relationship on defense and security, crime and trade.

They hope to settle this in the spring and finalize it at a UK summit, perhaps in April or May.

The leaders of the 27 member states of the European Union are gathering for what is described as an “informal retirement” at the Egmont Palace in Brussels – a 16th century palace in the heart of the Belgian capital.

The backdrop is clear: the current war in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

The EU acknowledges that it must assume a greater responsibility for its own defense – a key and recurring request from President Trump because it threatens the block with import taxes or prices.

The Prime Minister said: “President Trump threatened more sanctions against Russia and it is clear that Putin rocked. We know that he is worried about the state of the Russian economy.

“I am here to work with our European partners to maintain pressure, targeting energy income and companies that provide its missile factories to crush the Putin war machine.

“Because in the end, alongside our military support, this is what will bring peace closer.”

The United Kingdom also explores closer links with the EU on the treatment of serious and organized crime and, above all, trade.

Allowing the exchange of food products and of animal origin more freely is being discussed, as is energy cooperation with a possible link between the United Kingdom and EU emission trading systems .

The mutual recognition of professional qualifications and the authorization of musicians on tour to travel more easily are also themes of interest.

Many things in the EU are subject to a mobility program for young people allowing young people in the United Kingdom and the EU to travel much more easily.

But such a scheme will sound to some such as freedom of movement, although for a narrow piece of the population and can therefore be difficult for the politically United Kingdom.

It is also likely, given the respective sizes of the EU and the United Kingdom, that more young people from the EU come to the United Kingdom than Vice Versa.

The ministers have rejected the idea so far.

The EU also launched the United Kingdom to join What is called the Pan-Euro-Metiterranée Convention.

The Convention is not entirely a customs union but removes customs on the components that enter a product from other countries registered there.

In particular, the United Kingdom has not excluded registration for this and it is not considered by the government as a violation of its red lines.

Certain sectors, such as the automotive industry, with its “just in time” supply chains, would probably host such a decision, but other manufacturers are exposed to greater competition.

Michael Ellam, who worked in Downing Street, when Gordon Brown was Prime Minister.

Ellam was responsible for managing what is called the “EU relations secretariat” within the Office Cabinet, which the main invert has settled shortly after the general elections to direct its “reset” planned with the EU.

As negotiations continue, Starmer knows that he is facing political pressure on both sides of the argument.

Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch said that “the Labor government is trying to reopen the divisions of the past and get back into the EU”.

Sir Ed Davey, chief of the Liberal Democrats, said The government should negotiate to join the customs union.