The UK is set to start negotiations on a new cooperation treaty with Germany as the Labour government seeks to ‘reset’ relations with Europe.
Sir Keir Starmer, who is in Berlin for meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said the deal was part of an effort to “stop Brexit”.
According to Downing Street, the agreement will cover areas such as energy security, technology and science.
It was added that the agreement would also cover access to each other’s markets and trade via the North Sea.
After Berlin, Sir Keir will travel to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
No. 10 said he hoped the new treaty with Germany could be agreed early next year.
While detailed plans have not yet been released, discussions on improving market access are expected to focus on areas such as helping companies certify their products and providing more information on procurement.
Downing Street added that it would build on a defence pact between the two countries that was already being negotiated and was expected to be finalised in the autumn.
In the agreement, announced last month, the two countries pledged to jointly purchase more military equipment and make it easier for each other’s militaries to use it. They also want to intensify cooperation in areas such as cyber warfare.
Sir Keir has pledged to forge closer economic ties with Europe, including a “much better” trade deal than the one negotiated by Boris Johnson in late 2020.
His Labour government wants to strike deals with the EU to reduce border checks on food, ease red tape for touring entertainers and improve the recognition of work qualifications, making it easier for some professionals to work abroad.
The country also wants to conclude a security pact with the EU and a new return agreement for rejected asylum seekers.
It is still unclear whether Brussels will make major changes to the current Brexit trade deal with the UK, which is due to be reviewed in 2026.
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Downing Street said the prime minister and Mr Scholz would discuss joint efforts to tackle illegal migration by sharing more information on smuggling gangs.
Ahead of the visit, Sir Keir said the UK has a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe”.
He said cooperation with both Germany and France would be “critical” on migration and boosting the UK’s economic growth.
“We must chart a new course on Brexit and repair the broken relationships left by the previous government,” he added.
In addition to Mr Scholz, Sir Keir will also meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the bosses of energy technology company Siemens Energy and defence firm Rheinmetall, which makes vehicles for the British army.
