The UK has ambitious plans for closer trade cooperation with the European Union, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in an interview with the "Guardian" newspaper, BTA reports.
Starmer's statement comes in light of the upcoming summit between the UK and the European Union on May 19. The prime minister said Britons had put Brexit behind them and urged them to look forward, not backward, as the country enters a new era in its relations with the 27-nation bloc.
He said Britain would join EU food standards, work more closely with Brussels on law enforcement and support a youth mobility deal.
Commenting on the upcoming EU summit in London, Starmer said: "I am ambitious about what we can achieve there. I want a closer relationship (with the EU) on security, defence, trade and the economy (…) Let us look forward, not backward. Let us realise that we live in a different world, in a new era in security and defence, in trade and the economy".
The prime minister believes that "calm and pragmatic" approach he has taken in negotiations with the US and India, which led to a trade deal with Washington on tariffs and a free trade agreement with Delhi, will also lead to an agreement with the EU.
Starmer suggested that London would join the EU on food and other standards as part of the agreement. "We do not want to lower our food standards. We are not and will not be involved in a kind of race to the bottom", he said.
The British prime minister also suggested that the Court of Justice of the European Union would have a role in resolving any disputes.
"I want us to work more closely together. I want to make sure that we get the best possible arrangements for data sharing. I would like to work more with Europol," he added.