ANDNew British Prime Minister Keir Starmer opened the fourth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) on Thursday, with a commitment to restoring Britain’s relations with other European countries.

“We want to work to restore the relationship, rediscover common interests and renew the bonds of trust and friendship,” said Starmer’s Labour Party, who assured that Britain “will be a friend and a partner” after the chaos caused by Brexit.

The CPE brings together dozens of European leaders this Thursday, from Spain to Moldova, at the monumental Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, to discuss shared concerns, such as the situation in Ukraine or illegal migration.

Beyond these issues, the meeting is seen as a unique opportunity for the new British government to push for a new phase in their relationship. with neighboring countries in Europe. According to Starmer, in this new phase the UK “will not focus on our differences, but on the values ​​we share.”

According to Starmer, in this new phase Britain will not focus on our differences, but on the values ​​we share.

At the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Russia.

“If someone in Europe tries to solve problems without the knowledge of others or even at the expense of others (…) Why should we take that person into consideration?” Zelensky said without mentioning Orban, who was in the same room.

According to the Ukrainian president, “the EU and NATO can solve all their problems without a single person.”

Arriving at Blenheim Palace, Zelensky made a dramatic appeal for European unity in support of Ukraine. “Unity in Europe needs to be maintained, because unity always leads to strong decisions,” he said.

Zelensky held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, and on the agenda was a meeting with King Charles III. and dialogue with executives from companies in the defense segment.

Shipment to Ukraine arrived late

On the other hand, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stated regarding the support of European countries that the problem is the logistical capacity to fulfill the promises.

“I don’t think the problem is decision making. The problem is that we can’t comply. We make the decisions, but unfortunately the delivery is very late,” he pointed.

The monumental Blenheim Palace, one of the largest in Britain and considered a World Heritage Site since 1987, is the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Upon arrival at the palace, the the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, has highlighted that the meeting is a “space for dialogue and meeting” between countries that share “common strategies and lines of action.”

Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo stated upon his arrival that “we have a lot to discuss, about migration, energy, about how to increase our trade.”

For him French President Emmanuel Macron The most efficient way to deal with illegal migration is to deepen cooperation between countries. “There is no panacea,” he said.

Starmer will hold several bilateral talks with European leaders during Thursday’s conference, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish President Simon Harris and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez.

This Thursday marks the fourth meeting of the CPE since its founding, in October 2022, following meetings in Prague, Chisinau (Moldova) and Granada (Spain).

The London government announced this at a meeting this Thursday. will reaffirm its support for Ukraine, and will encourage the continuation of international military and financial assistance to Kyiv.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in the CPE meeting for the first time, as did the leaders of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.

The leaders present at the meeting will also participate this Thursday in a reception hosted by King Charles III at the Palace.