UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today invited dozens of European leaders to discuss the situation in Ukraine and illegal immigration, helping to restart the “delicate relationship between the United Kingdom and Europe”.
“We want to restore relations, rediscover our common interests and renew bonds of trust and friendship,” the prime minister said at the opening of the fourth meeting of the European Political Community (CPE).
The meeting is being held at Blenheim Palace near Oxford to address leaders from across Europe, from Spain to Moldova.
Blenheim Palace, one of the largest in the United Kingdom and considered a World Heritage Site since 1987, is the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, appealed to the crowd for European unity in supporting his country. “It is necessary to maintain unity in Europe, because unity always leads to stronger results,” he noted.
Zelensky strongly criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent trip to Russia.
“If anyone in Europe is trying to solve problems behind someone’s back or at someone else’s expense (…),” said Zelensky, not to mention Orban, who was in the same room.
According to the Ukrainian president, “the European Union and NATO can solve all their problems without this person.”
Zelensky’s agenda for Thursday includes bilateral meetings with Starmer, a meeting with King Charles III and talks with executives from defense agencies.
A new phase of the relationship
Once in power, Starmer announced that the government would try to restart the UK’s relationship with Europe after tensions caused by Brexit.
According to Starmer, this new phase will see the United Kingdom focus “not on our differences, but on the values we share”.
Upon arrival at the palace, the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, highlighted the meeting as a “place of dialogue and meeting” between countries that share “strategies and methods of action”.
Starmer will hold several bilateral talks with European leaders including France’s Emmanuel Macron, Ireland’s Simon Harris and Spain’s Pedro Sánchez during Thursday’s conference.
This will be the fourth meeting of the CPE since its establishment in October 2022, following meetings held in Prague (Czech Republic), Chisinau (Moldova) and Granada (Spain).
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will participate in the CPE meeting for the first time, as will the heads of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OECD) and the Council of Europe.
The leaders in attendance also plan to attend a reception hosted by King Charles III at Blenheim Palace on Thursday.
During the day, Starmer, Sanchez and other leaders congratulated Ursula van der Leyen on her re-election as president of the European Commission for a new five-year term.
In a message on the X Network, Starmer expressed his desire to “work closely” with van der Leyen and “reset the relationship between the UK and the EU”.
Sanchez highlighted that they will continue to work together to promote a more prosperous, sustainable and socially just European Union. Spain will continue to be a loyal and constructive partner in building a stronger Europe.”
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