Starmer vows to renew ties with European allies

WOODSTOCK, July 18 (AFP): UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday vowed to renew relationships with European allies soured by Brexit as he welcomed dozens of leaders to a summit designed to reaffirm backing for Ukraine and tackle irregular migration.
Starmer, elected premier two weeks ago, told more than 45 European leaders the UK would be a "friend and partner" as he started work to improve ties hit by the country's tortuous departure from the European Union under his Conservative predecessors.
"We want to work with all of you to reset relationships, rediscover our common interest and renew the bonds of trust and friendship that brighten the fabric of European Life," Starmer told them as he opened the European Political Community (EPC) summit.
Europe is grappling with challenges ranging from supporting Kyiv after Russia's full-scale invasion to breaking up people-smuggling gangs contributing to record levels of irregular migration.
Ukraine, illegal migration, energy security and defending democracies are top of the agenda at Blenheim Palace, the stately home which was the birthplace of Britain's World War II leader Winston Churchill, near Oxford in southern England.
"It's very important to be here, for Ukraine, especially this tough period, for us during the war," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was due to hold discussions with Starmer and meet head of state King Charles III.
"For us it's very important to maintain unity in Europe because always this unity leads to strong decisions."
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attended an EPC meeting for the first time, as did the heads of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe.
"We will not be coerced. We will continue to support Ukraine," Stoltenberg said on arrival.
Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide election win over the Tories on July 4, has said the one-day summit would "fire the starting gun on this government's new approach to Europe".
He was set to tell fellow leaders that the UK will take "a more active and greater convening role on the world stage, to strike genuine partnerships that have impact on people's lives".
He will also say that border security will be "at the heart of the government's reset with Europe", according to Downing Street.
New Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in broadcast interviews early Thursday that it was also about post-Brexit relations with more than just the 27 EU members invited.