Starmer: Summit leads new relationships between Britain and Europe
The British government announced that Starmer will tell the heads of state and government, who have been invited to the Blenheim Palace north of Oxford, that Britain will take an "active role" on the world stage to "forge real partnerships that have an impact on people's lives." Border security should be a central theme in the realignment, it was stated.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke before the summit on Sky News about a "fantastic, historic meeting." It's not just about EU relations post-Brexit, but also about other European partners. "We have representatives from Norway, Turkey, Moldova, and other countries present," he said.
The EPG consists of the 27 EU countries and 20 third countries from Albania to Ukraine. For Germany, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has traveled to England. French President Emmanuel Macron, who initiated the founding of the community after the Russian attack on Ukraine about two years ago, was also expected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also present.
On the agenda were talks about further aid for Ukraine. It was expected that the host country, Britain, would reaffirm its resolute support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and press for the continuation of international military and financial aid for Kiev. Other topics include the fight against illegal migration and security-energy issues.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is participating for the first time, as are the heads of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Parliament.
Starmer's Labour Party won a landslide victory in the parliamentary election at the beginning of July, marking the first time since 2008 that they have had a parliamentary majority. The previously ruling conservative Tories suffered a historic defeat.
In the throne speech read by King Charles III on Wednesday, it was stated that the new British government would "endeavour to rebuild relationships with European partners and improve the United Kingdom's trade and investment relationships with the European Union."
- Keir Starmer, the newly elected Labour Party leader, plans to emphasize Britain's role in forging impactful relationships around the world at the EPG-Summit in Southern England.
- During his address at the summit, Starmer is expected to highlight the importance of border security in the realignment of Britain's international relations.
- The EPG, which includes 27 EU countries and 20 third countries from Albania to Ukraine, is attending the summit, with representatives from Norway and Turkey also present.
- Starmer's speech at the summit comes after his Labour Party secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary election, gaining a majority for the first time since 2008, causing a historic defeat for the Conservative Tories.
- The summit agenda includes discussions on further aid for Ukraine, with Britain expected to reaffirm its support for Ukraine in its war against Russia and call for the continuation of international military and financial aid for Kiev.
- Besides Ukraine, other topics at the summit include the fight against illegal migration and security-energy issues, with participation from NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the OSCE, and the European Parliament.
- In his throne speech, King Charles III announced that the new British government would strive to rebuild relationships with European partners and improve trade and investment relationships with the European Union, following Brexit.
