PA averageBritain is set to begin negotiations on a new cooperation treaty with Germany as the Labor government seeks to “reset” its relationship with Europe.
Sir Keir Starmer, who is meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, said the deal was part of a “turnaround on Brexit”.
Downing Street said the deal would cover areas such as energy security, technology and science.
It added that it would also cover access to each other’s markets and trade across the North Sea.
After leaving Berlin, Sir Keir will travel to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
No. 10 said it hoped to reach a new treaty with Germany early next year.
Although detailed plans have not yet been disclosed, discussions about improving market access are expected to focus on areas such as helping companies certify their products and providing more information on tenders.
Downing Street added that it would build on the already negotiated defense deal between the two countries, which will be finalized in the autumn.
The deal, announced last month, commits the two countries to jointly purchase more military equipment, make it easier for each other’s militaries to use it, and strengthen cooperation in areas such as cyber warfare.
Sir Keir has vowed to build closer economic ties with Europe, including a “better” trade deal than the one negotiated by Boris Johnson at the end of 2020.
His Labor government wants a deal with the EU to reduce border checks on food, reduce paperwork for touring artists and improve recognition of work qualifications to make it easier for some professionals to work abroad.
It also wants a security deal with the EU and a new return deal for failed asylum seekers.
It is unclear whether Brussels will consider major changes to Britain’s existing Brexit trade agreement, which is due to be reviewed in 2026.
Downing Street said the prime minister and Scholz would discuss jointly tackling illegal immigration by further sharing intelligence on smuggling groups.
Niels Schmid, the foreign affairs spokesman for Scholz’s Social Democrats, said the two leaders were “more or less in agreement” about their desire for closer ties between Britain and the EU.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that Germany wanted to promote cooperation between the UK and the EU on issues such as trade, student mobility and defence.
Mr Schmid said a plan to make it easier for young Germans to study in the UK was “the main feature of our wish list”.
He insists that such a plan is not “immigration in the general sense” but “limited stay” for educational programmes, student exchanges or work experience.
However, the Labor government said there are currently no plans to allow young people from EU countries to live and work in the UK, while young British people can do the same in Europe.
Ahead of the visit, Sir Keir said the UK had a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe”.
He said cooperation with Germany and France was “vital” for immigration and boosting the UK’s economic growth.
He added: “We must reverse Brexit and repair the broken relationship left behind by the previous government.”
As well as meeting Mr Scholz, Sir Keir will meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the bosses of energy engineering group Siemens Energy and defense company Rheinmetall, which produces vehicles for the British Army.
