UK PM Keir Starmer Ushers in New Era with EU Leaders at Oxfordshire Summit

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted European Union leaders in Oxfordshire to strengthen post-Brexit ties, focusing on illegal migration and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He emphasized a practical, non-ideological approach and announced the scrapping of the Rwanda migrant deportation scheme. New measures to tackle crime by smuggling gangs were also unveiled.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed European Union leaders to Oxfordshire to initiate a "reset" with the 27-member economic bloc, post-Brexit. The summit at Blenheim Palace aimed to align on issues like illegal migration and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Starmer distanced his new Labour Party government from the previous Conservative Party policies, reiterating that the "unworkable" scheme of deporting illegal migrants to Rwanda had been "scrapped." He stressed that the UK would remain committed to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The Labour Leader outlined a new approach to Europe, focusing on disrupting people smuggling networks and addressing Russian actions in Ukraine. A new rapid returns unit will accelerate the deportation of illegal migrants from "safe" countries. Additionally, a forthcoming Border Security Bill aims to tackle criminal smuggling gangs with new enforcement powers.

(With inputs from agencies.)