Berlin wants to reverse the security pact proposed by the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmeron a Brexit mega deal: include everything from agricultural rules to the Erasmus student exchange program.
“We very much welcome the initiative for a security pact. It is not just about security, it is broader: that is why I would call it a security and cooperation agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union,” said German Ambassador to the United Kingdom Miguel Berger.
The Starmer Promise
Starmer promised a “reset” Brexit with the EU after turbulent relations under them their conservative predecessors. The new British Prime Minister wants closer cooperation on security issues – but also closer economic ties in areas such as agriculture, chemicals and skills.
According to the Berlin proposal, these ambitions would be grouped together under the single title of a security and cooperation agreement and will be aligned with EU prioritiessuch as improving the mobility of young people.
Willingness to cooperate
Starmer has moved quickly to build ties with Germany since taking office on July 5, meeting Chancellor Olaf Scholz three times in just 10 days – first at a NATO summit in Washington, then at the Euro finals in Berlin and again at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Oxfordshire.
The Prime Minister took advantage of these and those meetings with other leaders to assesses the EU’s openness to new Brexit negotiations on the priorities of the new British government.
In addition, the British prime minister is expected to meet with European Commission President von der Leyen before the end of the summer. This could be an opportunity to define exactly what will be negotiated.
Such “mobility” remains “very important, not only for Germany but also for the 27” as a component of a new Brexit deal, a source told Politico.