Keir Starmer insisted he was not ‘reversing Brexit’ as he set out plans for a new treaty with Germany as part of a wider ‘reset’ of relations with the EU.
The UK prime minister, who agreed that a deal with Germany would be in place by the end of the year following talks with counterpart Olaf Scholz, said it was a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity.
Scholz said the UK and Germany were ‘good friends, close partners and trusted allies’ as Starmer promised a ‘bright new future’ for the countries’ relationship.
Starmer said the new UK-Germany treaty would result in ‘deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, culture’ and ‘a boost to our trading relations’.
A new defence agreement will build on the ‘already formidable’ co-operation between the two countries, Starmer said.
He said the treaty was a ‘once-in-a-generation chance to deliver for working people in Britain and in Germany’.
‘Britain can advance its interests much more effectively when we work with friends and partners.
‘This treaty is part of a wider reset, grounded in a new spirit of cooperation with our shared understanding that this will be developed at pace, and that we hope to have agreed it by the end of the year.’
The two countries also agreed to develop a ‘joint action plan to tackle illegal migration’.
Starmer’s hopes for the ‘wider reset’ with the EU would not amount to undoing the Brexit decision, he insisted.
‘I’m absolutely clear that we do want a reset. I have been able to repeat that here today, a reset with Europe, a reset with the EU.
‘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, but we do not have plans for a youth mobility scheme.’
An agreement on youth mobility has been suggested by Brussels and could be a key demand in any negotiations.
Scholz said: ‘We want to create good relations between the UK and the EU, it can become better day by day, and we all share an interest.’
There was ‘reason to do everything in our power to improve relations between both countries but also the UK and the EU’.
By Christopher McKeon in Berlin and David Hughes
Press Association: News
source: PA
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