LONDON – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to sign a new deal with the European Union seeking to reset ties after Brexit, his office said on Saturday ahead of landmark talks. 

Starmer is scheduled to meet EU chiefs today (Monday) for the first post-Brexit EU-UK summit aimed at agreeing steps towards a closer relationship between Britain and the 27-country bloc which it left five years ago after an acrimonious and knife-edge referendum.

“This week, the prime minister will strike yet another deal that will deliver in the national interest of this country,” Downing Street said in a statement, also pointing to recent trade deals with the United States and India.

Starmer will welcome EU bosses Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa as well as top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas for today’s talks at the Lancaster House venue in London.

“The prime minister will set out how a strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people and lead to more money in pockets,” the statement said.

Talks looked set,however, to go down to the wire due to last-minute squabbling over long-standing issues, such as fishing rights and food checks. But negotiators were hopeful of at least signing a defence and security partnership.

Starmer, elected Labour prime minister last July, wants a deeper relationship with the European Union than the one negotiated by the previous Conservative government.

That deal “isn’t working for anyone”, Starmer’s office said.
The move is aimed at opening the door to closer cooperation as both the EU and Britain race to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia, and fears the United States under president Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe. – Nampa/AFP