On July 18 (local time), the European Political Community (EPC) Conference will take place at Blenheim Palace, England, in the context of London's efforts to mend relations that were strained during the Brexit period under the Conservative government.
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| The European Political Community conference was held at Blenheim Palace on 18 July. (Source: PA) |
Following Labour's landslide election victory two weeks ago, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to strengthen Britain's ties with its European Union (EU) allies to tackle pressing challenges, such as supporting Ukraine and tackling human trafficking.
Prime Minister Starmer welcomed around 45 European leaders to the EPC on July 18. Speaking ahead of the conference, he said the EPC would be the start of a new approach by the British government towards the EU, bringing benefits for both the present and future generations.
The leader stressed that Britain will take a more active role on the international stage and promote substantive partnerships.
Border security will be at the heart of London’s plans to strengthen ties with the EU. Last year, more than 380,000 undocumented migrants crossed into the bloc, including tens of thousands to Britain. Mr Starmer has pledged to “dismantle the gangs” organising illegal crossings across the Channel.
Noting that the summit was an opportunity to promote meeting the priorities of people in the region, Prime Minister Starmer expressed confidence that through cooperation, the parties would ensure border security, promote economic growth and protect democracy.
Although he has ruled out London rejoining the EU's single market and customs union, Mr Starmer is keen to negotiate a new security agreement with the EU, as well as an agreement to ease border controls on agricultural products and a better bilateral trade deal.
This will be the fourth EPC meeting since the group was founded in October 2022. Ukraine, illegal migration and energy security will be on the agenda.
Prime Minister Starmer is expected to have a number of bilateral discussions with EU leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris during the conference.
AFP news agency reported that, ahead of the meeting, Mr Starmer also had a private meeting with his Irish counterpart Simon Harris. The two leaders affirmed that this was the right time to rebuild the partnership, marking a change after several years of increasing tensions between Dublin and London regarding the Northern Ireland issue.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the two Prime Ministers agreed to hold an annual conference between the two neighboring countries to promote bilateral cooperation. As planned, Prime Minister Starmer will arrive in Dublin on September 7.
For his part, Mr Harris affirmed that his first face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Starmer since the Labour government came to power was of great significance for Ireland.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-nghi-cong-dong-chinh-tri-chau-au-thu-tuong-anh-ky-vong-thiet-lap-lai-quan-he-voi-eu-co-hoi-han-gan-cung-ireland-279151.html
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