Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Germany today and met Chancellor Olaf Scholz, vowing to “turn around Brexit” and rebuild ties with EU member states.
Arriving in Berlin, the chancellor said he wanted to repair the “broken relationships” left by the previous government and forge new agreements with Europe's neighbours.
“We have a unique opportunity to rebuild our relationship with Europe,” the prime minister added.
No details were given of the deal British negotiators are trying to reach with German officials, but the prime minister suggested the visit would be the catalyst for talks expected to continue over the next six months.
British, German and EU flags fly ahead of Olaf Scholz and Keir Starmer's arrival in Berlin (Reuters)
He added that the pact would cover “key areas of enhanced cooperation” including improved market access, clean energy and defence. It would complement long-standing treaties with Britain and France.
Sir Keir's approach marks a shift from the previous government, which was less open to the prospect of closer cooperation with the EU.
The new prime minister has said he will respect the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum but has particularly campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU, having served as shadow Brexit secretary under former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn from 2016 to 2020.
Below are some of the options Sir Keir may be considering as he travels to Berlin:
Defense pact
No. 10 said the UK and Germany talks would build on a defence agreement already under negotiation. In July the two countries issued a joint statement pledging to “strengthen bilateral defence cooperation” following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Speaker's residence at the Palace of Westminster in 2023 (Stephen Rousseau/PA) (PA Archive)
The talks starting in Berlin are likely to reaffirm those commitments as they begin negotiations on a bilateral model treaty, modelled on the UK-France agreement – the 50-year Lancaster House Treaty, ratified by then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010.
As part of the visit, Sir Keir will also meet Armin Theodor Papelger, chief executive of Rheinmetall, Germany's largest defence and security company, which has several defence contracts with Britain and whose work Downing Street has described as “vital to the modernisation of the British Army”.
Border Security Agreement
Sir Keir will also consider “strengthening joint action” against illegal immigration during his visit to Germany, with Bill No. 10 making it clear that this would include greater intelligence sharing to disrupt and shut down organised migration crime rings.
Tackling illegal immigration was one of the Prime Minister's key pledges before the general election, with a focus on tackling criminal gangs that exacerbate the problem.
He is likely to find an ally in Mr Scholz, who last week reaffirmed his position that illegal immigration to Germany “must be reduced” following an attack by an asylum seeker in the town of Solingen last week that left three people dead. Sir Keir has also said he will use his visit to convey his condolences to the German people.
Preference for UK companies
The Prime Minister is also reportedly considering securing preferential access to the German market for British companies during his visit, including removing trade barriers such as certification, tender information and German law, sources told The Times.
Traffic at the port of Dover, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)
Sir Keir said in Germany he sees “fostering economic growth” in both Europe and the UK as a key mission, and “market access” will also be on the agenda. No. 10 points out that Germany is the UK's second-largest trading partner, accounting for 8.5% of total UK trade.
Youth Mobility Planning
As the Prime Minister seeks to improve relations between the UK and the EU, many speculate that the foundations for a system allowing young people to live and work in EU countries could be laid.
But ministers have ruled out that possibility: Sir Keir, along with then-chancellor Rishi Sunak, rejected a formal proposal from the EU to negotiate a bloc-wide mobility plan in April, and government sources reiterated his opposition in August.
“We have not considered this, there are no plans and no work on this is being carried out,” a government spokesman said. “Our negotiating teams have clear red lines and the preparatory work does not include anything on this.”
German officials are reportedly trying to pressure Britain to accept such a deal in exchange for a lucrative new trade agreement, and it is thought disagreements could arise during the negotiations in Berlin.
