Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office reposted this
This government will reset relations with Europe as a reliable partner, a dependable ally and a good neighbour. That is why I am travelling immediately to Germany, Poland and Sweden with a simple message:: let us seize this opportunity, working even more closely together to tackle shared challenges. The most immediate of these challenges, of course, is Ukraine. We will stand by the brave people of Ukraine, as they defend their freedom against Vladimir Putin’s new form of fascism. British military, economic, political and diplomatic support for Ukraine will remain ironclad. But we are always stronger when we work with others. European security will be this government’s foreign and defence priority. Russia’s barbaric invasion has made clear the need for us to do more to strengthen our own defences. Next week, the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and I will all travel to Washington for the NATO Summit. This Government’s commitment to the Alliance is unshakeable, just as it was in Bevin’s time. This weekend I am discussing how NATO allies can go further in investing in our tightly connected defence industries and providing Ukraine with its own clear path to joining our alliance. Alongside security, we want to do more together to bring prosperity to our continent. None of us can address the urgency of the climate emergency alone – we need coordinated global action. And finally, we must do more to champion the ties between our people and our culture. Holidays, family ties, school and student exchanges, the arts, and sport. Thanks to this, our citizens benefit from the rich diversity of our continent. We can deliver more cooperation in many areas bilaterally, via NATO and in groupings like the G7, the Joint Expeditionary Force or the European Political Community who will gather at Blenheim Palace on 18 July. But if we are to fulfil our ambitions for a reset, we must also improve Britain’s relationship with the European Union. I am explaining to my new fellow Foreign Ministers how our new Government’s proposal for an ambitious and broad-ranging UK-EU Security Pact would underpin closer cooperation between us, enshrining a new geopolitical partnership. I am also hearing their ideas for how we can rebuild trust and reset the relationship between the UK and the EU. Over centuries, our individual and national stories have come together to tell a wider 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 to understand how our shared security and prosperity depend on these shared values. And I believe these values also offer a foundation for closer partnership in the future. My visit this weekend is just the beginning. I look forward to seeing Britain reconnect with our European neighbours in the years ahead.
Great to read this but what I see missing is concretely repairing the relationship with the people of the EU. The "learning how" in this post. The trust of the UK by European people was torn asunder by Brexit. Trust in Britain must surely be at its lowest ebb. The message Europeans took from Brexit was that our values are not valued, our ideas not embraced, our peace project is not desirable, our goals and aspirations are not shared. British soft power in Europe died that night. So, I am not talking at the institutional level. After breaking a psychological contract, the UK has a very, very long way to go to win back the trust of the people of Europe, if indeed it even cares about that. So, what's the actual plan? Business as usual will not easily be possible; Britain smashed that on the rocks.
Are you having a referendum to review your relationship with the European Union as political parties who tried to undermine democracy were removed at the election . And Keir stated there will be no rejoining the EU . Was the election a lie for appointment?
It will also make sense for the Foreign Secretary David Lammy to also visit Russia and meet with His Excellency President Putin to try and broker peace in Ukraine. We know that the EU President Viktor Orban was there recently representing NATO .
Why not address the elephant in the room? Why not admit that Brexit is not working and instead consider it a massive self-inflicted wound?? Seriously, think about the impact of England cutting itself off from a 500 million strong market. Then think about all the Chinese spies and cyber espionage experts trying to get into MOD. You cannot abandon your neighbors for a belligerent China that really wants your secrets.
Good start, but don’t listen to, and be fixated on only one side of the story. Listen to the other side as well. That’s the only way you can make an informed judgement and make the right decisions….unless of course your plan is to perpetuate the status quo. Peace for sure is better than war. Stop the killing and destruction both ways.
The first statement talks about Europe as a single entity, clearly displaying a confused and immature understanding of Europe, European states and the quasi-legal entity known as the EU by the author. One would have thought the intelligent strategic move to resolve the current conflict in Ukraine, and to put the whole of Europe on a better path, would be to build the relationship required with Russia. Of course, that depends on what the goal of those in power is, and upon their capabilities and statesmanship. This statement doesn't give much hope I'm afraid.
This is so refreshing to read. Brexit or no Brexit, there is no reason why the UK should not be ‘a reliable partner, a dependable ally and a good neighbour’ with our European friends.
“And finally, we must do more to champion the ties between our people and our culture. Holidays, family ties, school and student exchanges, the arts, and sport. Thanks to this, our citizens benefit from the rich diversity of our continent” - could you be more specific ? Obviously we “need” these things, but what are you actually going to do? At one point there was the discussion of pushing for a return to free movement. What’s the latest on this ?
😂 For all the talk of ‘shared values’, ‘human right’ n ‘intl law’, real politic and global finance rule. Gaza, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Ukraine, are all testament to this. It’s all selective.
Media Consultant, Journalist & Broadcaster.
3moMr Lammy, I wish you luck in your endeavours. Don't forget what you have often said on LBC radio (a station of which I was relaunch director of programmes, as well as a show host like yourself); there are two sides to every story; this applies to Israel and Gaza. Although it sounds reasonable to say ceasefire immediately stop fighting, we, who had war declared on us in the most barbaric way this century, have always wanted peace and a ceasefire. Just return our people held hostage in terrible conditions, and things will stop. Remember there was a ceasefire before they started chopping up people, raping, murdering and deliberately killing Jews! There are two sides to every argument, please listen to Israel's.