Starmer Urges European Leaders to Confront Migration ‘Crisis’ During European Summit
The new British prime minister expressed his hope that the summit would aid the UK in ‘resetting’ relations with the continent following his election.
Addressing the illegal migration “crisis,” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged Europe’s leaders to take action at a summit in Oxfordshire on Thursday.
Sir Keir emphasized the importance of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in enabling Britain to “reset” its relationship with neighboring countries post-Brexit.
The inception of the EPC by French President Emmanuel Macron brought together 20 non-EU nations, including the UK, alongside the 27 EU countries.
Inaugurating the summit at Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace, he reiterated Labour’s support for the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
During the Conservative government’s tenure in the UK, there were discussions of withdrawing from the agreement, which was established in the early 1950s.
Sir Keir assured that Britain would remain a “friend and partner ready to collaborate” with Europe, emphasizing that the UK is not part of the EU but an integral part of the continent.
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He highlighted the pressing need to combat people smuggling gangs to tackle the challenges posed by small boats crossing the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea, and Europe’s internal borders.
Sir Keir stated, “It is now, I think, a crisis. As we speak, as we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in every country represented here today, profiting off human misery and desperation, prepared to send infants, babies, pregnant mothers, innocent people to their deaths.
Describing the summit as an opportunity to “set a new path on illegal migration,” Sir Keir urged Europe to collaborate and address the root causes driving displacement.
He affirmed his administration’s commitment to approach the issue with humanity and uphold international law, noting the UK’s withdrawal from the unworkable Rwanda scheme and its unwavering support for the European Convention on Human Rights.
Referring to Rome’s partnership with Albania for processing migrants, Sir Keir hinted at innovative solutions to be explored.
He engaged in a brief meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the summit, discussing European security matters like migration and potential solutions.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, welcomed the UK government’s new approach and expressed readiness to bolster cooperation in foreign and security policies.
Ireland’s premier, Simon Harris, hailed Labour’s election victory as a potential “gamechanger” for UK-EU relations, highlighting a shift in the political landscape.
During face-to-face discussions with key figures such as President Macron and Prime Minister Tusk, Sir Keir aims to bolster security pacts with the EU and address trade issues stemming from the current Brexit deal.
Concluding the summit, all leaders will attend a reception hosted by King Charles III in the palace’s Long Library, lined with over 10,000 books.
PA media contributed to this report.
