British premier, EU Council president discuss closer UK-EU collaboration

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Council President Antonio Costa met at 10 Downing Street on Thursday for their first official discussion aimed at strengthening relations between the UK and the European Union.

The leaders emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration during a period of heightened global volatility, according to a statement released by 10 Downing Street.

They agreed that closer cooperation between the UK and EU is critical to addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual interests.

Costa invited Starmer to attend a session of the informal EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Feb. 3, 2025. Starmer accepted, signaling his readiness to enhance strategic partnerships, particularly in defense.

High on the agenda were pressing geopolitical issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, said the statement.

Both leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to providing Ukraine with political, financial, humanitarian, and military support for as long as necessary.

The leaders also turned their attention to developments in the Middle East and Syria.

They agreed on the need for long-term political stability in Syria following the fall of Assad's regime and highlighted the importance of facilitating a peaceful transition for the region’s future.

The two leaders reiterated the foundational role of the Withdrawal Agreement, which includes the Windsor Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, in shaping UK-EU relations. They restated their joint commitment to fully implementing these agreements in good faith.

The leaders also looked forward to the inaugural EU-UK Summit, scheduled for early 2025.

They expressed optimism about using the summit as a platform to deliver tangible benefits for citizens on both sides and to advance cooperation in critical areas.