(London) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrapped up a meeting with more than 40 European leaders in the English countryside on Thursday to re-launch relations between the United Kingdom and the continent, stressing support for Ukraine and the fight against illegal immigration.
“Britain is back on the world stage,” Mr Karmer said after the meeting at Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace northwest of London. “And I am proud to leave this summit with stronger relationships in Europe,” he told reporters.
This fourth summit of the European Political Community (EPC), which was also attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was also an opportunity for Europeans to close ranks around Ukraine, in the face of the uncertainty posed by a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House in a few months.
“It is very important to maintain unity in Europe, because unity always allows for strong decisions,” Mr Zelensky said upon arrival at Blenheim Palace.
PHOTO KIN CHEUNG, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
From this point of view, he criticized without naming Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was also present at Blenheim. While his country has just taken over the rotating presidency of the EU, the Hungarian leader claimed, without the approval of Brussels, to be leading a “peace mission” during trips to Moscow and Beijing.
“If someone tries to solve problems behind other people’s backs or even at someone else’s expense […] “Why should we take this person into account?” the Ukrainian president asked his European colleagues.
Kyiv also took advantage of this summit to announce the signing of new security cooperation agreements with the Czech Republic and Slovenia.
The 47 leaders of European countries, from Germany to San Marino, via France, Moldova and Kosovo, also discussed the subject of immigration, a priority for the new British government.
Mr Starmer, a Labour Party member who has been in power since July 5, said a “consensus” had emerged during the talks to tackle the criminal “gangs” organising illegal immigration into Europe.
PHOTO STEFAN ROUSSEAU, PROVIDED BY REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Like his Conservative predecessor Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer has vowed to tackle the people smugglers who are allowing thousands of migrants to reach the UK via the Channel.
Pressed on the subject upon his arrival at Blenheim Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to “constantly improving the situation”.
“There is no magic wand, because we know the situation. We are doing our best, we have improved the situation in recent years, and we will continue our efforts,” he told reporters.
Keir Starmer had said before the meeting that he wanted to “take the opportunity to renew [la] relationship with Europe”, after friction with previous Conservative governments since Brexit in 2020.
Support for Moldova
This “redefinition” of relations with Europe advocated by the new Labour government is rather favourably received in Brussels, which is nevertheless waiting to know the details of what the new British executive will propose, recalling that there is no question of “reopening” discussions on the Brexit agreements.
European Council President Charles Michel indicated on this point that a summit between the EU and Great Britain would be useful in the coming months, in order to “show that this relationship” between London and Brussels is “strategic”.
Born in October 2022 from an idea of President Macron and in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EPC informally brings together the 27 members of the EU and other countries of the continent in a spirit of dialogue on security and stability issues.
For the first time, the heads of NATO, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have been invited to this summit, the fourth after Prague (Czech Republic), Chisinau (Moldova) and Granada (Spain). The next one will take place in November in Hungary, before Albania and Denmark in 2025.
On the sidelines of the planned meetings, a meeting brought together, around Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Council President Charles Michel and Keir Starmer. It was an opportunity to “reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and strengthen our efforts,” Mr. Macron stressed.