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European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and new British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are to organise a meeting within weeks to accelerate a “reset” of relations three years after the UK left the bloc.
Von der Leyen was absent from the two big international events Starmer attended since his election victory on July 4 as she was campaigning for a second term as Brussels’ most powerful official.
Her team hoped to see Starmer this week but are now working on a late August or early September meeting, officials familiar with the plans said.
Starmer outlined his intention to forge a new relationship with Europe last week when he hosted a gathering of the European Political Community at Blenheim Palace with almost 50 leaders of EU and non-EU states.
Charles Michel, European Council president, attended and said he hoped the reset could be put on a formal footing at a UK-EU bilateral summit in the coming months “so that we can show that this relationship is a strategic one”.
Starmer is hoping to hold the talks with Von der Leyen “in the near future”, according to his aides, as the prime minister seeks to maintain momentum with the EU.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Starmer’s ministerial EU envoy, told the Financial Times last week he wanted to set up a “structured dialogue” so that EU and UK ministers and officials could meet regularly to discuss issues such as security, trade, irregular migration and energy.
Rishi Sunak, former Conservative prime minister, began the process of repairing post-Brexit relations with Brussels last year when he negotiated the Windsor agreement with von der Leyen, which resolved tensions over Northern Ireland trading rules.
But Sunak preferred to deal directly with EU member states, notably Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, rather than with Brussels institutions. Starmer’s meeting with von der Leyen will seek to change that dynamic.
Starmer has said he is seeking better trade terms with the EU, including a veterinary agreement to smooth deals on agricultural goods, while UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested that Britain could align with EU regulations in areas such as chemicals.
But Starmer’s insistence that Britain will not rejoin the customs union, single market or restore free movement places a big obstacle in the way of deeper integration, given Brussels’ long-standing opposition to “cherry picking” benefits available to EU members.
“The UK has red lines that limit what can be done,” said an EU official. “But there is goodwill on both sides. The president worked well with the previous government and wants to continue with the new government.”
Another official said the EU was in “listening mode”. “Let’s see what they have to offer.”
Von der Leyen’s pitch for another five years in office included increased co-operation with London. “We will work to strengthen relations with the UK on issues of shared interest, such as energy, security, resilience and people-to-people contacts.”
The commission in April proposed a deal to allow 18- to 30-year-olds to study and work abroad. But Labour, then in opposition, rejected the idea on the basis that it encouraged immigration.
Von der Leyen’s spokesperson declined to comment. Downing Street officials said that “plans to meet are in train”.