Sir Keir Starmer at the NATO meeting in Brussels (Image: Simon Wohlfahrt/Pool/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “kowtowing” to Brussels after he met EU leaders to plead for closer ties with Britain.
The Prime Minister held talks over dinner in the Belgian capital in the latest stage of his master plan to “reset” relations with the bloc.
But the warned that the Prime Minister has got his “priorities all wrong” and should focus on securing a better relationship and a trade deal with the US instead.
The focus of Monday’s meeting was supposed to be security and defence, but Sir Keir was also keen to discuss energy, trade and the economy.
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Speaking at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels, the PM set out the “specific areas” where Britain and the EU can do more together on defence.
“First, has shown how tech is transforming the battlefield – so it’s vital that we focus more on research and development,” he said.
“The UK has unique skills here as the home of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator. And Horizon Europe shows our shared potential.
“Second, we need to improve military mobility and logistics across Europe, so that we can move troops and materiel more easily to where they need to be.”
Keir Starmer meets with EU leaders (Image: Getty Images)
Sir Keir said co-operation needs to be deepened to “protect ourselves from state threats and sabotage, including on subsea infrastructure”.
He also called for greater co-operation on missions and operations, similar to those carried out in the Red Sea and training Ukrainian troops.
“Fifth, we should deepen our industrial collaboration,” he said.
“We will be more successful in building the European defence sector and contributing more to our own defence, if we work together.
“Look at Airbus or Thales – their success in the UK boosts defence across Europe. Fragmentation would weaken us all.
“Instead, let’s maximise the industrial weight and clout that we have together. We are ready to work together in all these ways and more.”
But Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “ cosying up to the EU whilst he is engulfed in a scandal at home shows he has his priorities all wrong.
“Rather than thinking about taking hundreds of thousands more migrants and surrendering our fisheries, he should instead look West to rekindle a trade deal with America.
“Our country’s best days are ahead of us. But only if stops kowtowing to the economically floundering EU and looks further afield. Britain deserves better.”
Concerns have been raised over what concessions Sir Keir might make to achieve his wish for closer ties – with EU calls for a youth free movement deal and access to fishing waters.
Ahead of the “summit”, French diplomats suggested the Prime Minister’s appeal for a better relationship shows has “failed”.
Polish PM Donald Tusk said that he wanted the UK “as close as possible” on security and defence, and to reduce trade friction.
Sir Keir is the first PM to attend an EU summit since the UK formally exited the bloc in 2020.
He hosted German chancellor Olaf Scholz for talks at Chequers on Sunday as he geared up for the visit.
Danish PM Mette Frederiksen is due in No 10 for talks on Tuesday, with Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof due to visit Downing Street later this week.
has warned Sir Keir not to sabotage a potential US trade deal by moving closer to the EU.
The Reform UK leader told the Daily Express: “All I would say to Starmer is don’t take us back so closely to the EU that you damage our ability to do a trade deal with America, that’s my real message.”
Labour has insisted rejoining the customs union and single market are both “red lines”.
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But France is said to view Sir Keir as a “demandeur” – a supplicant driven by the UK’s struggle outside the EU.
A senior diplomat told The Times: “The project, breaking away from the EU to create a global Britain, didn’t work.
“We thought it wouldn’t work because the UK is European, geographically and economically.
“ was a project for a stable and prosperous world, but in a complicated world, obviously the UK will be closer to Europe.”
Arriving at the summit on Monday, Mr Tusk said: “I am really keen that, regardless of and its consequences, to have the UK as close as possible to the EU when it comes to security issues, defence industry, and to find ways to eliminate or reduce barriers in trade between the UK and Europe.
“Today is the moment to get as close as possible again.”
Mr Griffith told Sky News that Sir Keir “should be rediverting his plane” to Washington DC because the UK already has a trade deal with the EU but not America.
The have set the Prime Minister five tests over his approach to , warning he could try to “undo” the settlement.
Among the commitments the demanded are for the UK to have continued freedoms over negotiating trade deals, and control of its borders outside the single market.