Last night the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met his Irish counterpart. Today he meets the leaders of the other EU countries. Up to 50 European heads of state will meet for a summit at Winston Churchill’s birthplace Blenheim Palace in Woodstock outside Oxford today. Both those in the EU and those outside are invited. It is expected that the new prime minister from the British labor party Labor will use the opportunity to improve relations with the union the British left 4.5 years ago. – He both wants it, can do it and wants it, says law professor and Europe expert Catherine Barnard to news. The new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, recently met both the American President and the NATO leader in Washington. Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP Today’s meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) is the fourth in a row. It was French President Emmanuel Macron who took the initiative for the series of meetings after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A gift package from the predecessor Every other meeting is held by an EU country and a foreign country. In the past, the Czech Republic, Moldova and Spain have hosted. Russia and Belarus are not invited. Turkey has declined the invitation this year. But most other European leaders are expected to attend. – This is a very important moment for Keir Starmer, because he can show a new tone towards the EU. The former Conservative government provoked the EU, rather than cooperating, says Cambridge professor Catherine Barnard. She calls today’s meeting a gift package for Prime Minister Starmer, given by her predecessor Rishi Sunak. Blenheim Palace was Winston Churchill’s birthplace and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, Europe’s leaders gather here. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP It was actually Sunak who should have hosted today. But because he lost the election on 4 July, it will be Starmer who gets to show off as the head of state he has recently become, together with up to 50 European colleagues. Rebuilding trust Professor of European politics at Kings University in London, Anand Menon, also believes that today’s moment has great significance for Britain’s new government and its relationship with Europe. – Britain must rebuild trust after years of division after Brexit. Keir Starmer will start that work on Thursday, says Menon to news. – Starmer will start a charm offensive to reset relations with the EU. He wants to be a friend, ally and work closely with European countries. He has talked about Britain being a leader in the European Union. The tone of such statements matters. Professor Menon is also head of the think tank UK in a Changing Europe, where Professor Barnard is deputy head. Does not want an EU rematch Migration, energy security and democracy are among the issues on the menu when the European leaders meet. But it is the informal meetings that are most important in this forum. This is where Starmer can work to soften the strained relationship with the EU. Starmer himself fought for the British to remain in the EU, but he has denied that he will try to take the British into the EU again. He wants to build trust in the European Union after the process of leaving it soured relations. He wants to cooperate more closely on security, trade and migration. – As far as possible, he wants to improve cooperation on security and reduce some of the friction in the trade relationship, says Anand Menon. Norway wants to cooperate more closely with the British While Starmer is speed-dating EU leaders, the Norwegian Prime Minister will try to get closer to Starmer. – We want to get cooperation with Great Britain up again after there has been little momentum in recent years with the Conservative government. Now there is a new opportunity, and we want to take advantage of that, says Jonas Gahr Støre to news in London before the meeting. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met news in London before the summit at Blenheim Palace today. Security policy, the defense of Northern Europe, energy policy and technologies that can promote the green shift are matters on which he wants to strengthen cooperation with the British. – Norway is a small country with enormous power, says law professor and Europe expert Catherine Barnard. Because of the Oil Fund’s wealth and Norway’s energy resources, Støre will not have any problems gaining ground with European top managers today, she predicts. – As I understand it, a number of countries will talk to Norway because of everything the country has to offer. Democracy and political violence After the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, it is also expected that political violence and polarization will become a topic. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise appearance with Donald Trump this week, and posted this photo on X, formerly Twitter. They talked about the importance of supporting Ukraine and defending democracy, writes Johnson. Photo: Screenshot from X One has seen a more conciliatory tone from both the US presidential candidates in the US after the assassination attempt. Several European countries have also experienced politically motivated murders, attempted murders and threats. The UK is one of them. But also Norway, Støre reminds: – It is very important. Remember that we are only a few days away from July 22nd. 13 years ago there was a politically motivated mass murder in Norway. This is a big challenge, which we must face together. Published 18.07.2024, at 07.10
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Today, the British Prime Minister will soften relations with the EU – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
