LONDON (Reuters) -British finance minister Rachel Reeves met euro zone counterparts for the first time on Monday, pushing for co-operation to boost growth without getting into the details on tricky issues that may hinder a reset in relations.
Britain’s Labour government is pushing to reset ties with the EU after coming to power in July. It has blamed previous Conservative governments for damaging EU relations during fractious negotiations to leave the bloc.
In her first meeting with the ‘Eurogroup’ of euro zone finance ministers, Reeves emphasised the shared interests of Britain and the EU.
“Today was not about starting a negotiation. Today was the preliminary work that is needed to rebuild trust and to build relations after a very fractious and antagonistic few years,” she said at a press conference.
“We want to draw a line under those relationships and turn a page to one of cooperation.”
Earlier Reeves told the group that “a closer economic relationship between the UK and the EU is not a zero-sum game,” adding that breaking down barriers to trade could improve the growth prospects of both.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is aiming to reduce border checks by agreeing a new veterinary agreement, but has pledged not to rejoin the bloc’s single market or customs union, and has ruled out any return to freedom of movement.
Reeves said she recognised that the original Brexit deal was not the best one for Britain, but emphasised that those red lines would remain.
With the EU demanding an improved youth mobility scheme, both sides have acknowledged that negotiations due to start next year will not be straightforward.
Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe said the meeting was very valuable and he hoped it “could set the tone for all of our other aspects in negotiations in the year ahead.”
“The issue of fisheries, of youth mobility, all those other matters, are for another day,” he added.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout. Editing by Jane Merriman and Christina Fincher)
