Starmer woos Berlin and Paris 'to reset our relations with Europe'

SIR Keir Starmer met Germany’s top leaders this morning before heading on to France, aiming for a post-Brexit reset in relations with vital European partners following Labour’s election triumph.

- Jitendra Joshi

The Prime Minister held talks in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as the two countries launched a dialogue for a new UK-German treaty to increase business and joint action on illegal migration.

They aim to agree the first such partnership deal since Brexit by early 2025, modelled on the UK’s existing Lancaster House accords with France, which cover defence and security notably.

Sir Keir was the first PM to visit Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German president, since David Cameron in 2015. He signed the palace guestbook in the entrance hall, which was decorated with red, white and blue flowers in his honour, before going into his private meeting with Mr Steinmeier.