Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political.
First UK Foreign Secretary to Join EU Gathering Since Brexit Focuses on Security and Cooperation
David Lammy, the UK’s shadow foreign secretary, made history as the first foreign secretary since Brexit to attend a regular meeting of EU foreign ministers. Invited by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, Lammy's attendance is part of Labour's strategy to "reset" relations with Europe, focusing on issues like the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
During the meeting in Luxembourg, Lammy emphasized the importance of EU UK cooperation, calling it a "historic moment" and stating that security between the two regions is "indivisible." The discussion centered on international security concerns and Labour’s broader agenda to strengthen ties post Brexit.
This meeting follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent push for a pragmatic and cooperative relationship with Europe, promising to offer "sensible leadership" after years of strained post Brexit negotiations.
EU leaders, including von der Leyen, stressed the importance of fully implementing post Brexit agreements, such as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), to ensure progress in the relationship. Lammy’s presence signals a potential shift towards more frequent and deeper UK EU cooperation in international affairs.
