Sir Keir Starmer says work on a new deal with the EU has already begun

He said: “Over centuries, our individual and national histories have been combined to form a larger story of shared progress. Today, we all share a commitment to democracy, human rights and international law.

“Tragic experiences in our continent’s shared past have helped us understand how much our common security and prosperity depend on these shared values. And I believe that these values ​​also provide a basis for a closer partnership in the future.

“My visit this weekend is just the beginning. I look forward to seeing Britain reconnect with its European neighbours in the years to come.”

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has said the EU wants to work more closely with Sir Keir Starmer in its relations with the UK.

standby

Speaking to Sky News, the Taoiseach said there was a “willingness” in Europe to work with a Labour government to reach agreements on veterinary medicine and “student mobility”.

He said: “Is there scope for a veterinary agreement, is there scope in terms of student mobility, is there scope for closer collaboration on certain issues? I think that is absolutely the case.”

“And I believe there is a willingness in Europe to have these discussions in due course, should that be the wish of the British government.”

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he welcomed the “constructive attitude” of other European countries.

He told Sky: “We have the same standards as the European Union. If we can sell more whisky and more salmon in a market that is so important to us, then of course we should look into such an opportunity.”

Leave the Brexit years behind us

However, he stressed that the government was not “open-minded” about freedom of movement and that it would not “take up the issue again”.

Mr Lammy, who voted to remain in the EU and called for a second Brexit referendum, said before his trip that it was time to “put the Brexit years behind us”.

In his article for The Local, he vowed to “reorient relations with Europe as a reliable partner, a trusted ally and a good neighbour”.

“That is why I am immediately travelling to some of our key European partners. When I meet with Annalena Baerbock from Germany, Radek Sikorski from Poland and Tobias Billström from Sweden, I will convey a simple message: let us seize the opportunity to restart and work even more closely together to tackle common challenges,” he said.

The Foreign Secretary also said Labour would “commit” to EU holidays and student exchanges, which critics say have been hampered by Brexit.

He said: “We must do more to promote the bonds between our people and our culture. Holidays, family ties, school and student exchanges, art and sport (I cheered for England at the European Championships, of course…). Thanks to this, our citizens benefit from the great diversity of our continent.”

During his trip to Scotland, which is scheduled to include visits to Wales and Northern Ireland on Monday, Sir Keir also pledged to save hundreds of jobs at the country’s last oil refinery, setting the tone for Labour’s ability to defeat the SNP at the next Holyrood election.

The Prime Minister, who travelled to Edinburgh on Sunday for his first official appointment, expressed “great concern” about the situation at Grangemouth power station and announced that work had already begun on a rescue plan.

Petroineos, the operator of Grangemouth, warned that the refinery could cease operations as early as next year, resulting in the loss of at least 400 jobs. The 215,000 barrel-per-day refinery, part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos empire, is considered vital to Britain’s infrastructure.