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The head of the European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen said, that talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer could « prepare land » for the defense and safety pact.

Starmer welcomed von der Leyen in his office in London after participating in the global energy security summit. « In a world that seems increasingly unstable and has an uncertain future, it is very good that we work so closely on many questions, » stressed the Prime Minister.

After the meeting he said that they both made « good progress », but did not provide the details of the defense pact immediately. The interviews « have been dealing with a number of questions, including Ukraine, energy security, global economy and defense, » the Prime Minister spokesman explained. Von der Leyen on the X platform wrote that there is a « great potential for more extensive cooperation » in the field of energy, migration, as well as the possibility of partnership in the Defense and Security Department.

However, Starmer has set strict borders in negotiations with the EU. He promised that Britain would not return to the single market to the customs union. He also ruled out the signing of an agreement on the free movement of persons across the borders of the EU Member States and Britain, writes AFP.

Given that May 19, the EU and the United Kingdom Summit will be held, both parties are trying to improve relations at a time of global unrest brought by US President Donald Trump. However, Starmer is in a difficult position because he also is trying to reach the Trump government and ensure a favorable trade agreement with the US, it recalls AFP.

Representatives of Britain and the EU expressed the hope that the defense and security pact will be the main point of the meeting on May 19, as the return of Trump to the White House raises doubts about the United States’ commitments to NATO and European security.

Von Der Leyen said that Thursday’s talks could lead to the United Kingdom to the European Defense Program in the future.

« We will discuss work on the agreement on the strategic security and defense partnership, which could then open the way to the joint procurement and involvement of the United Kingdom in our Safe program, » she said with reference to the EU common fund of € 150 billion that allows countries to buy missiles, artillery, unmanned aircraft, ammunition and other equipment.

Britain needs to sign a defensive pact to become part of the fund. (TASR)