Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 October 2024.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen released a joint statement today.

The President of the European Commission and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom met today and agreed to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

They agreed on the shared challenges facing the European Union and the United Kingdom including the altered strategic context for the wider continent notably resulting from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The leaders agreed the UK and European Union would also continue to work closely to address wider global challenges including economic headwinds, geopolitical competition, irregular migration, climate change and energy prices, which pose fundamental challenges to the shared values of the United Kingdom and the European Union and provide the strategic driver for stronger cooperation.

The leaders reflected on the events in the Middle East overnight and condemned the egregious attack by Iran on Israel. They recognised Israel’s right to self-defence in the face of this unacceptable aggression. De-escalation by all parties in the region was of the upmost importance. They reiterated the need to coordinate the diplomatic response to the situation in the Middle East and called on all sides to show restraint and end the bloodshed. An immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza was required to create the space to allow for political solutions, the leaders underlined.

They agreed on the importance of the unique relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom in addressing such challenges and resolved, in line with our shared values, to strengthen ambitiously their structured strategic cooperation.

They reaffirmed that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement underpin relations between them and underlined their mutual commitment to the full and faithful implementation of those agreements. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to uphold international law and to the European Convention on Human Rights. They agreed a stable, positive and forward-looking relationship was in their mutual interests and provided the basis for long term cooperation.

They agreed to take forward this agenda of strengthened cooperation at pace over the coming months, starting with defining together the areas in which strengthened cooperation would be mutually beneficial, such as the economy, energy, security and resilience, in full respect of their internal procedures and institutional prerogatives. They agreed to meet again this autumn.

They agreed on the importance of holding regular EU-UK Summits at leader-level to oversee the development of the relationship. They agreed that a first Summit should take place ideally in early 2025.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 October 2024.

The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels today [Wednesday 2 October] to continue his drive to improve the UK’s relationship with the European Union to bolster the security, safety and prosperity of the British people.

Building on the extensive and positive engagement which has taken place already, he will discuss his ambitions for the next few months with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

The Prime Minister has set out his determination to move beyond Brexit and make the UK’s relationship with the EU work for the British people, and he remains focused on delivering a broad-based security pact, securing our borders and tackling barriers to trade.

He will say that at a time of growing instability in the world – with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the rise of vile smuggling gangs trafficking people across Europe – it is increasingly important that like-minded countries co-operate more closely on areas of shared interest.

While he wants talks to deliver ambitious and improved co-operation with EU leaders, he has been clear there will be no return to the single market, the customs union or freedom of movement.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The UK is undeniably stronger when it works in lockstep with its closest international partners. This has never been more important – with war, conflict and insecurity all knocking on Europe’s door.

We will only be able to tackle these challenges by putting our collective weight behind them, which is why I am so determined to put the Brexit years behind us and establish a more pragmatic and mature relationship with the European Union.

Better co-operation with the EU will deliver the benefits the British people deserve – securing our borders, keeping us safe and boosting economic growth.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this evening.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor condemned Iran’s attack on Israel this evening, underscoring the importance of Israel’s security.

The leaders agreed that further escalation was in nobody’s interest and that all sides should show restraint.

On Lebanon, the Prime Minister underlined the urgent need for a ceasefire to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

They agreed to speak soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron this evening.

The leaders began by condemning Iran’s attack on Israel this evening and acknowledged the serious risk of regional escalation.

The Prime Minister and President agreed that ensuring Israeli security was vital and that there was an urgent need for de-escalation, with all parties needing to show restraint.

Turning to Lebanon, they discussed the need for a ceasefire to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

They agreed to stay in touch over coming days.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, and they discussed the escalating situation across the Middle East.

The Prime Minister condemned Iran’s attack on Israel today in the strongest terms, which began during the leaders’ conversation, and expressed the UK’s steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.

During the call, the Prime Minister also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Lebanon to allow space for a political solution in line with UNSC Resolution 1701.

The Prime Minister also raised the situation in Gaza and the importance of a ceasefire and action to bring home the hostages.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 October 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan earlier this afternoon from Downing Street.

The leaders began by underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. They both called for de-escalation to prevent the extreme humanitarian situation from worsening.

The Prime Minister said he will work alongside partners and do everything possible to push for de-escalation and push for a diplomatic solution.

The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 September 2024.

The Prime Minister has approved the appointments of Professor Kirstie Blair and Rupert Morley as Trustees of the Kennedy Memorial Trust, for a term of five years from 30 September 2024.

Professor Kirstie Blair

Kirstie Blair is Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sterling. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Cambridge, and MPhil and DPhil degrees from the University of Oxford. She studied at Harvard University as a Kennedy Scholar.

Rupert Morley

Rupert is Chairman of Pershing Square Holdings, a FTSE 100 company, Chair of Bremont Watches and Trustee for Comic Relief. Rupert holds a degree in economics from Cambridge University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, which he attended as a Kennedy Scholar.

Note for editors

The Kennedy Memorial Trust was established in 1964 to administer monies raised in the United Kingdom as a tribute to the late President John Kennedy. Part of the fund was used to create and maintain the Kennedy Memorial site at Runnymede. The remaining capital is used to provide Kennedy Scholarships which enable British postgraduate students to study at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Trustees are responsible for the selection process for those scholarships and for managing the maintenance of the Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 September 2024.

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados at UNGA.

Both leaders stressed the strength of the relationship between their two countries and discussed the importance of working together on key issues such as international financial institution reform, climate change and pandemic preparedness.

They looked forward to meeting again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 September 2024.

The Prime Minister met Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati at UNGA.

The Prime Minister opened by giving his sincere condolences to Prime Minister Mikati for the loss of civilian life in recent weeks.

They discussed the escalating conflict in Lebanon, and agreed on the importance of an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated solution.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 26 September 2024.

The Prime Minister met the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres at UNGA this morning.

They discussed some of the most pressing global issues including Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan.

The Prime Minister underlined his commitment to working with the United Nations to tackle global challenges, including climate change and development.

The UN Secretary General thanked the UK for continuing to play a central role in the work of the UN.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, human rights and international humanitarian law.

The two agreed to work together to implement the Pact for the Future.