Keir Starmer declares 'we must turn corner on Brexit' as he heads to Germany
The Prime Minister is visiting Germany and France as part of his push for a reset of post-Brexit relations.
Sir Keir Starmer declared "we must turn a corner on Brexit" as he kicked off a two-day trip to Germany and France.
The Prime Minister will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin tomorrow to launch negotiations on a new bilateral treaty.
The pact is aimed at boosting business and trade, deepening defence and security cooperation, and increasing joint action on illegal migration.
He will then head to Paris for the Paralympics Opening Ceremony tonight, before meeting French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace on Thursday.
Sir Keir said: “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe and strive for genuine, ambitious partnerships that deliver for the British people.
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“We must turn a corner on Brexit and fix the broken relationships left behind by the previous government.
"That work started at the European Political Community meeting last month, and I am determined to continue it, which is why I am visiting Germany and France this week.
“Strengthening our relationship with these countries is crucial, not only in tackling the global problem of illegal migration, but also in boosting economic growth across the continent and crucially in the UK – one of the key missions of my government.”
Negotiations for the new treaty with Germany will take place over the next six months with the aim of being wrapped up in early 2025.
The deal will cover areas such as market access, critical science, innovation and tech, clean energy, trade across the North Sea, supply chain resilience, energy security and green transition education, biodiversity, and the environment.
It will build on a defence agreement which is currently being negotiated between the two countries and due to be finalised in the autumn.
Sir Keir and Mr Scholz are also expected to discuss joint action to tackle illegal migration, including further intelligence sharing to intercept and shut down organised immigration crime rings.
During his trip to Berlin, Sir Keir will also meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as Siemens Energy chief executive Dr Christian Bruch and Armin Theodor Papperger, the chief executive of Germany’s largest defence and security company Rheinmetall.
The Prime Minister will have breakfast with French business leaders in Paris on Thursday morning before meeting Paralympians as they prepare for competition.
The European visit is the fifth time Sir Keir has met Mr Scholz and the fourth time with Macron following the NATO Summit in Washington, the European Political Community hosted at Blenheim Palace, the UEFA Euro 2024 final, and the Olympic opening ceremony last month.
