\u201cThe Prime Minister will set out how a strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people and lead to more money in pockets,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to sign a new deal with the EU seeking to reset ties after Brexit. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Talks looked set, however, to go down to the wire due to last-minute squabbling over long-standing issues, such as fishing rights and food checks.<\/p>\n
But negotiators were hopeful of at least signing a defence and security partnership.<\/p>\n
Starmer, elected Labour Prime Minister last July, wants a deeper relationship with the European Union than the one negotiated by the previous Conservative Government.<\/p>\n
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n That deal \u201cisn\u2019t working for anyone\u201d, Starmer\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n The move is aimed at opening the door to closer co-operation as both the EU and Britain race to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears the United States under President Donald Trump<\/a> will no longer help protect Europe.<\/p>\n That should mean more regular security talks, Britain considering joining EU military missions and the potential for London to fully tap into a \u20ac150 billion ($285b) defence fund being set up by the bloc.<\/p>\n But Starmer has several red lines he has said he will not cross, while sticking points remain over some EU demands that threaten to stall the rapprochement.<\/p>\n \u2018Significant moment\u2019<\/p>\n In an interview with the Times on Saturday, local time, Starmer said a deal would be a \u201creally significant moment\u201d.<\/p>\n Starmer has ruled out rejoining the customs union and single market but has suggested that the UK is ready for regulatory alignment with the EU on food and agricultural products.<\/p>\n EU diplomats in Brussels have been working on getting Britain to keep its waters open for European fishermen in return for easing the checks on some food imports from the UK.<\/p>\n And Starmer appeared to have made a key concession by agreeing to an EU demand to clear the way to let young Europeans live and work in Britain under a youth mobility scheme.<\/p>\n While freedom of movement was a \u201cred line\u201d, he told the Times, \u201cyouth mobility is not freedom of movement\u201d.<\/p>\n Starmer is approaching the scheme cautiously under pressure from rising support for Nigel Farage\u2019s anti-immigration and Euro-sceptic party Reform UK, which made huge gains in local elections earlier this month.<\/p>\n