(London) New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Irish counterpart Simon Harris pledged on Wednesday to “relaunch the partnership” between the two countries, during a bilateral meeting ahead of a European summit in the United Kingdom.
The leaders said in a joint statement that “the time has come to relaunch the partnership,” noting that “the two countries are united by geography and history.”
“As a first step towards rebuilding this unique partnership,” the two leaders “committed to holding annual summits during which they will take stock of joint work aimed at deepening and strengthening cooperation,” according to their joint statement.
The statement marks a new era after the tensions of recent years between Dublin and London. Keir Starmer is due to visit Dublin on 7 September.
Before the dinner, Simon Harris said his first meeting with Labour’s Keir Starmer, who won the UK election two weeks ago, was “very important for Ireland”.
The emphasis on “reviving” Irish-British relations echoes Keir Starmer’s pledge to restore ties with Europe at the fourth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) on Thursday at Blenheim Palace near Oxford in southern England.
After a NATO summit in Washington last week, Keir Starmer will show his willingness to redefine his relations with his European partners, particularly in terms of security.
He aims to repair strained post-Brexit relations with the European Union, with leaders expected to discuss Ukraine, illegal immigration and energy security.
After dinner at the British prime minister’s country residence, Chequers, Harris said his counterpart wanted “a closer relationship with the European Union.”
During their talks, the leaders reaffirmed the Good Friday Agreement, a historic peace deal negotiated in 1998, and their commitment to “reconciliation in Northern Ireland.”