Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The UK’s Labour government is pushing to revise ties with the EU and enhance trading relations in a bid to raise growth.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to address a gathering of Eurozone finance ministers in Brussels on 9 Dec 2024 to insist on a ‘business-like relationship’ between the EU and post-Brexit. The visit is the most delinquent in the Labour government’s push to reset ties with the EU after years of post-Brexit under previous Conservative administrations.
What are Rachel Reeves’ key priorities for the UK-EU reset?
Rachel Reeves will be the first Chancellor to minister the Eurogroup meeting of EU finance ministers since Brexit, as the Government continues its steps to reset relations with the bloc. As reported by the standard, the Chancellor will acknowledge Britain and Europe’s “fractious” relationship in recent years, pointing to her counterparts: “Division and chaos defined the last government’s approach to Europe. It will not define ours.”
Further, she will add: “We want a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and pragmatism. A mature businesslike relationship where we can put behind us the low ambitions of the past and move forward, focused instead on all that we have in common. And all that we might achieve together to keep our countries safe, secure and prosperous.”
Three critical areas in the UK-EU relationship will be the priority of Ms Reeves’ speech: tackling shared challenges like the fighting in Ukraine, championing free trade, and supporting economic partnerships.
How is labour redefining the UK’s international partnerships post-Brexit?
In October, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer assembled with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to examine strengthening connections. The British leader, who voted in the UK’s 2016 referendum to remain in the EU, has pressed his reset will not mean reversing Brexit and has ruled out a return to the European single market or customs union. Starmer’s government has committed to refire the economy and boost growth, including by resetting international ties with the EU and beyond.
