Sir Keir Starmer insisted he is not trying to “reverse Brexit” as he hailed a new era of relations between the UK and Germany.
The Prime Minister denied he wants the UK to re-enter the EU’s single market or customs union.
Sir Keir Starmer wants to build greater relations with the EU (Image: Getty)
But he conceded he wants stronger economic and defence ties.
Sir Keir held talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this morning to discuss plans for a new treaty with Germany aiming to boost business and increase joint action on illegal migration.
The Prime Minister was asked if he would agree to a free movement deal for young Germans to come to the UK.
Sir Keir said he was “absolutely clear that we do want a reset” with the EU but he said “that does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union but it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges”.
He said in a press conference in Berlin: “But we do not have plans for the youth mobility scheme but we do have plans for a closer relationship between us and the EU as part of that reset.”
The two leaders agreed a new pact to increase ties on on science, technology, development, people, business, culture and trade.
Sir Keir added: “Germany of course (is) already the UK’s second-largest trading partner in the world, and through that a chance to create jobs here and in the United Kingdom, and deliver that most precious of goods for both our countries, economic growth.
“Let me be clear – growth is the number-one mission of my Government and what we understand clearly is that building relationships with our partners here in Germany and across Europe is vital to achieving it.
“That is what our agreement today represents – the chance that we have.”
The Prime Minister said he wants the new UK-Germany treaty to be agreed before the end of the year.
Speaking alongside Chancellor Scholz, Sir Keir said: “As today shows, Britain can advance its interests much more effectively when we work with friends and partners.
“This treaty is part of a wider reset, grounded in a new spirit of cooperation with our shared understanding that this will be developed at pace, and that we hope to have agreed it by the end of the year.
“A Britain recollected, resetting our relationship, rediscovering our common interests, delivering for working people.
“Britain and Germany already have an incredible relationship. We invest billions in each other’s countries. Thousands and thousands of jobs are supported through trade, and every year millions of people travel between our two countries, exchanging ideas, collaborating, creating and connecting.
“But today we build on that, a bright new future for UK-German relations, two great countries brought closer together than ever before. The strongest strategic partners in Europe, and on the world stage.”
The German leader said that UK and Germany will “base our relations on an entirely new footing”.
Speaking at a press conference with Sir Keir in Berlin, Mr Scholz said: “Germany and the UK share long-standing and a trustful partnership which is based on shared values and reliable friendship.
“We are going to foster and promote this co-operation for the benefit of our peoples, for the benefit of Europe and security and the transatlantic sphere.
“We want to continue to intensify these relations; we don’t want to leave it at statements but base our relations on an entirely new footing.”
Ahead of the talks with Mr Scholz, he met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
In a post on social media site X, Sir Keir said: “We have a once in a generation opportunity to reset Britain’s relationship with Europe so we can deliver for the British people.”
After Germany, Sir Keir will travel to Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony on Wednesday evening, before a breakfast meeting with French business leaders on Thursday morning, and a summit with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
The UK’s negotiation team will spend the next six months working on the treaty with Germany, aiming to agree a partnership by early 2025.
Sir Keir and Mr Scholz are also expected to discuss joint action to tackle illegal migration, including further intelligence-sharing to intercept and shut down organised immigration crime rings.
On Wednesday morning, Sir Keir met Mr Steinmeier at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin, the first British Prime Minister to visit the palace since David Cameron in 2015.
Mr Steinmeier had made the invitation after they met at the Uefa European Football Championship earlier this year.
Sir Keir signed the palace guestbook in the entrance hall, which had been decorated with red, white and blue flowers, before holding a private bilateral meeting with Mr Steinmeier.
In Paris later on the trip, the Prime Minister’s breakfast meeting is expected to include representatives from companies including Thales and Sanofi, and Sir Keir will then meet Paralympians preparing for their competitions before meeting the French President at the Elysee Palace.
Last month, at the EPC summit held at Blenheim Palace, Sir Keir said the UK will be a “friend and a partner ready to work” with Europe, and that “we can only make progress on the issues that so many people care about, like illegal migration and national security, if we have the maturity and leadership to reach out a hand to our European friends”.
