By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to initiate a significant reset of the UK's relationship with the EU through a series of high-profile bilateral meetings next week.
Starmer's diplomatic efforts will include discussions with Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Starmer's meeting with Harris will take place on Wednesday, just before the fourth European Political Community (EPC) summit, which this year is hosted at Blenheim Palace near Oxford.
The EPC, an informal platform conceived by Macron, aims to foster dialogue and cooperation among more than 45 EU and non-EU leaders, including those from Norway, Türkiye, Georgia, Iceland, Switzerland, and the UK.
Following the EPC summit, Starmer is expected to dine with President Macron on Thursday evening.
This engagement underscores the UK's renewed commitment to strengthening ties with key EU member states.
The EPC gathering, originally scheduled by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aims to address shared regional challenges, with the agenda remaining unchanged.
Topics of discussion will include the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and broader themes of democracy, such as the rise of the far right and Kremlin "disinformation campaigns."
While migration had previously been a primary topic, the Labour government has decided to deprioritize it for this summit.
Starmer’s approach contrasts sharply with previous Conservative administrations, which were often seen as brash and self-centered in their dealings with the EU.
The EPC does not issue formal political declarations, which allows for more flexible and open-ended discussions among its members.
This year's summit, with a focus on Ukraine and the health of democracy in the region, reflects the ongoing concerns about geopolitical stability and the influence of authoritarian regimes.