Brussels, December 9, 2024 – In a significant diplomatic move, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is set to attend a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers in Brussels on Monday, marking the first time a British chancellor has participated in a Eurogroup session since the UK’s departure from the European Union. Reeves, who is on a mission to reshape the UK’s post-Brexit relations with the EU, will call for a pragmatic and trust-based partnership between the two entities.
During the meeting, Reeves is expected to advocate for reducing trade barriers, fostering investment, and enhancing market access for UK businesses within the EU. According to a statement from the UK Treasury, Reeves will emphasize the importance of a “business-like” relationship that focuses on mutual respect, trust, and pragmatic cooperation.
Additionally, the Chancellor will address the ongoing support efforts for Ukraine, discussing how both the UK and the EU can strengthen their assistance to the war-torn country.
This visit is part of the Labour government’s broader initiative to “reset” the UK’s relations with the EU following years of tension and division under the previous Conservative-led administration. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been at the forefront of this diplomatic shift, having met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in October to explore ways to deepen ties with the bloc.
Despite these efforts to improve relations, Starmer, who campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum, has made it clear that his government will not seek to reverse Brexit. The Labour leader has ruled out any plans to rejoin the EU’s single market or customs union, focusing instead on strengthening economic ties and fostering growth through new international partnerships.
As Reeves engages with her EU counterparts, Prime Minister Starmer will be in the Middle East, visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia. There, he aims to secure investment from the Gulf states and negotiate a potential free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Looking ahead, the UK Treasury has confirmed that Reeves’ next international engagement will take her to Beijing in 2025, underscoring the government’s broader diplomatic and economic strategy on the global stage.
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