Starmer Rules Out Rejoining EU, Seeks Closer Ties with Germany During Berlin Visit
By Benedikt von Imhoff, dpa
BERLIN/Germany: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his visit to Berlin on Wednesday, firmly ruled out rejoining the European Union. In his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Starmer emphasized that while the UK would not reverse Brexit or re-enter the EU’s single market or customs union, he is eager to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU on several key fronts.
At a joint press conference following their talks, Starmer outlined plans for a new UK-Germany treaty aimed at fostering “deeper links on science, technology, development, people, business, and culture,” which he believes will “boost” bilateral trade relations. The British Prime Minister was keen to stress that this closer collaboration does not mean backtracking on Brexit but rather seeks to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Despite these ambitions for closer ties, Starmer ruled out implementing a “youth mobility scheme,” which would have allowed young Europeans to work visa-free in the UK and vice versa. Both leaders also agreed to develop an action plan to address illegal migration, further solidifying their commitment to shared challenges.
Starmer took the opportunity to express his condolences over the recent deadly knife attack in Solingen, Germany, underscoring the shared values between the two nations.
Starmer’s visit marks a significant effort to invigorate German-British relations, following a more reserved approach by his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, who only visited Berlin 18 months into his tenure. In contrast, Starmer and Scholz, both centre-left leaders, have already met twice since Starmer took office in early July, suggesting a warmer relationship between the two nations moving forward.
Britain, despite leaving the European Union in 2020, continues to play a pivotal role alongside Germany in international alliances such as NATO, the G7, and the G20, underscoring the ongoing importance of their bilateral relationship.
