UK's Starmer in Brussels for talks on EU 'reset'

BRUSSELS/LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Oct 2 as part of his push for a reset with the EU and a first chance to discuss issues like trade, security and youth mobility with Brussels.

Mr Starmer, whose Labour Party won an election in July, said his government will not seek wholesale negotiation of the Brexit deal. But he is seeking to tweak the relationship in a range of areas. The EU shares his desire for a joint security pact, but talks on barriers to the movement of goods and people could prove thornier.

“I firmly believe that the British public wants a return to pragmatic, sensible leadership when it comes to dealing with our closest neighbours,” Mr Starmer said after arriving in Brussels.