That detente was on display in London on Monday when Starmer told EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen th summit “marks a new era in our relationship”.
But beneath the bonhomie many in Europe believe the relationship has not gone far enough, and they now want to move things to the next level – and quickly.
And in a move that may send shudders down some Brexiteer spines, one of the EU’s most influential MEPs says it’s time to let the EU Parliament in on the action.
While he broadly welcomes the softer Brexit deal – describing it as “a very good starting basis” he warned that nothing will work unless previous agreements, such as the initial 2020 Brexit treaty – the Trade and Cooperation Agreement – are fully implemented.
Sandro Gozi in Brussels in March (Photo by Martin Bertrand / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)While the two-sides have agreed the principal of a youth mobility scheme – or ‘youth experience’ as it’s been rebranded, the numbers, visa costs and length of stay are yet to be decided.
The EU has already taken the UK to court over alleged breaches of this agreement, specifically unfair deportations and treatment of family members. The court as yet to rule.
But whether they have to wait the full decade to apply for citizenship is still up in the air.
He also criticised both Starmer and EU Council President Antonio Costa, who was also at the summit, for turning down his request for MPs and MEPs to be engaged in the process.
“We hope that they can do better in the next summit, and we will insist on this,” he said.
A “great starting point” nonetheless
He was positive about the moves towards regular dialogue in security and defence, the deal on fisheries and the plans to remove checks on food exports.
Ursula von der Leyen, and Keir Starmer, also met in the week before the summit at a wider summit of European nations in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
“The part on security and defence is absolutely necessary, and it makes sense to have the joint declaration looking at the geopolitical challenge we have. It is also very important to have the commitment to fully implement the existing agreement – as this really needs to be improved,” he added.
He said the eventual deal on one of the sticking points, to guarantee access for EU boats to UK waters for 12 years from mid-2026, “makes sense and reflects reality.”
“We are shifting from the Ice Age, the freezing of the relationship under [former Prime Minister] Boris Johnson to a new a new era,” he said.
Gozi was echoed by analysts, who said Starmer was right to describe the summit as moving both sides on from the “stale old debates and political fights” of the Brexit era.
“We now have the right music. The question which will follow now is, what does that mean in practice? How do we translate that into concrete steps forward.”
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Another warning signal was run up the flag pole by Berlin-based analyst Nicolai von Ondarza, who pointed out the increase in co-operation was based on voluntary good will, not binding commitments.
“This is a substantial step forward, but only if followed through well,” said the an analyst at Berlin-based think tank Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP).
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