The British government said on Monday it had reached new agreements with the European Union to boost defense cooperation, ease food trade and ease border checks, after the two countries met for the first official summit since Brexit, the Associated Press reported, BTA reports.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other top EU officials in London for the talks, said the agreements would cut red tape, boost Britain's economy and restore relations with the 27-nation trading bloc after the United Kingdom leaves the EU in 2020.
Under the deals, the new partnership between Britain and the EU on defense and security will allow Britain to to gain access to the EU's €150 billion defence loan programme.
Other agreements include the lifting of some checks on animal and plant products to facilitate cross-border food trade, and a 12-year extension of the agreement allowing EU fishing vessels to enter UK waters.
"It is time to look ahead. Let's put aside the old debates and political battles to find sensible, practical solutions that are best for the British people," Starmer said.
Although the EU is the UK's biggest trading partner, Britain has been hit by a 21% drop in exports since Brexit due to more burdensome border checks, cumbersome paperwork and other barriers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the agreements announced at an EU-UK summit on Monday sent a message that countries in Europe support and help each other, Reuters reported.
"The message we are sending to the world today is that in a time of global instability and when our continent is facing the greatest threat in generations, we in Europe support and help each other," von der Leyen told reporters.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the signing of a new defense and trade agreement with the European Union marked a new era in their post-Brexit relationship.
"This is the first summit between the United Kingdom and the EU," he told reporters. "It marks a new era in our relationship and we all benefit from this agreement.".