PM pushes Europe ties

SIR Keir Starmer's Government will engage in a frenzy of diplomacy as ministers push for a "significant improving" of security ties with Europe.

This week's Nato summit in the United States and the UK-hosted European Political Community (EPC) gathering on July 18 provide early opportunities for face-to-face talks on the future of the UK's relationship with its neighbours.

Sir Keir said it meant that a series of meetings which would normally take months to arrange could happen within the first fortnight of his premiership.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, who has been given the newly-created job of minister for European relations, has joined Sir Keir on the trip to Washington DC for the Nato gathering.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey are also in Washington.