Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit reset is set to involve UK and EU officials working closely together again on a more regular basis to boost co-operation on security and trade, i understands.
EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds was in Brussels for his first face-to-face talks with his counterpart Maros Sefcovic on Monday, when the pair talked about creating a structure that allows official-to-official contact on a more regular basis.
This could even involve regular UK-EU summits like those Brussels has with China and the United States, as the new Labour Government pushes for a broad security pact and an easing of trade rules.
The pair’s relationship is likely to form the cornerstone of the Prime Minister’s attempts to bring the UK closer to the EU.
But with the European Commission in flux as its president, Ursula von der Leyen, faces a vote on Thursday on whether she will continue in post or be replaced, Thomas-Symonds and Sefcovic are not believed to have talked in great detail about the UK’s specific asks.
Instead, the pair are understood to have set the tone for future talks, with the UK minister outlining the Government’s plans to build on the Windsor Framework deal for Northern Ireland and identifying different pillars as to how this can be done.
The first is on fulfilling Labour’s manifesto pledge for a UK-EU security pact, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy last week said could be as wide-ranging to include co-operation on migration, energy, pandemics, cyber security and critical minerals.
The second stand will be on trade, with Labour promising to negotiate a new veterinary agreement to reduce trade barriers for food and agriculture products going between the UK and EU and vice versa, that is likely to see Britain aligning with Brussels regulations in these areas.
The Government is also understood to be pursuing mutual recognition of qualifications and an easing of visa rules for touring artists.
At some point Sefcovic, meanwhile, is likely to raise the Commission’s proposals for a youth mobility deal that would make it easier for European students to come to the UK.
While both sides are closely guarding information in the delicate early stages of talks, Thomas-Symonds could use Thursday’s European Political Community meeting of EU leaders and allies to showcase more on the Government’s plans.
As he travelled to Brussels on Monday, Thomas-Symonds said he expected to be engaging with Sefcovic and his EU colleagues “much more in the coming months, as we work together to help make our continent safer and more prosperous”.
“Our Government is committed to resetting the relationship with the European Union, to strengthen ties, reinforce our security and tackle barriers to trade,” the minister said.
“The EU and member states are among the UK’s closest friends and allies.
“With war in Europe, and shared global challenges, in areas such as climate change and illegal migration, a strong UK-EU alliance is vital.”
Sefcovic said he and Thomas-Symonds would be discussing “ways to strengthen our co-operation, while making the most of our existing agreements that form the cornerstone of our partnership”.
“The EU and the UK are close neighbours, partners and allies, sharing values as well as challenges that are global in nature,” the Commission executive vice president added.