Britain is set to begin talks with Germany on a new cooperation treaty as the Labour government seeks to “reset” relations with Europe.
Sir Keir Starmer, who is in Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said the agreement was part of efforts to “turn Brexit around”.
Downing Street said the agreement covers areas such as energy security, technology and science.
It also covers access to mutual markets and trade across the North Sea, he added.
After Berlin, Sir Keir will travel to Paris where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and attend the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics.
No. 10 said it hoped a new treaty with Germany could be agreed by early next year.
No detailed plans have been released, but discussions on improving market access are expected to focus on areas such as helping companies certify their products and providing more information on tenders.
Downing Street added that a defence agreement between the two countries is already being negotiated, due to be finalised in the autumn, and that the move will be based on that agreement.
The agreement, announced last month, sees the two countries jointly purchase more military equipment and make it easier for each other's militaries to use, as well as stepping up cooperation in areas such as cyberwarfare.
Sir Keir pledged to forge closer economic ties with Europe, including a “much better” trade deal than the one negotiated by Boris Johnson in late 2020.
A Labour government wants to strike a deal with the EU to reduce border checks on food, ease red tape for touring artists and strengthen recognition of work qualifications to make it easier for some professionals to work abroad.
They also want to broker a security pact with the EU and a new agreement on the return of rejected asylum seekers.
It remains unclear whether Brussels will accept major changes to Britain's existing Brexit trade deal, which is due to be reviewed in 2026.
The chancellor's office said the chancellor and Scholz would discuss joint efforts to tackle illegal immigration through greater sharing of intelligence on smuggling rings.
Ahead of the visit, Sir Keir said the UK had a “once in a generation opportunity to rebuild our relationship with Europe”.
He said cooperation with Germany and France was “vital” to tackle immigration and boost Britain's economic growth.
“We must turn Brexit around and repair the broken relationships left by the previous administration,” he added.
As well as meeting Scholz, Lord Kiel is due to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and executives from energy engineering group Siemens Energy and defence company Rheinmetall, which makes vehicles for the British army.
