PM鈥檚 press conference remarks at the European Political Community summit: 18 July 2024
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks at the press conference following the European Political Community summit.
Hello everyone, thanks for being here.
We鈥檝e had a very successful and productive summit鈥�
Bringing together 46 European leaders 鈥� including President Zelenskyy who addressed the EPC this morning.
We discussed once again our commitment to stand with Ukraine鈥�
Including supporting their energy needs ahead of winter鈥�
And cracking down on the ships that are helping Russia to evade sanctions.
We need to be clear that Ukraine is fighting not just for the Ukrainian people - and of course it is - But for the European people鈥�
For freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
Our security therefore starts in Ukraine.
So we pledged to President Zelenskyy, once again, that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
We also had productive discussions on wider European security鈥�
Defending our democracies against Russian interference鈥�
And supporting countries like Moldova who are dealing with more direct threats.
It鈥檚 not just a good idea to work with our partners, it鈥檚 essential.
I said on the steps of Downing Street, that I would govern for the whole country 鈥� including those who didn鈥檛 vote for us.
And I meant it.
We can only make progress on the issues that so many people care about鈥�
Like illegal migration and national security鈥�
If we have the maturity and leadership to reach out a hand to our European friends.
And I want to congratulate Ursula von der Leyen on her re-election today as President of the European Commission.
So we are going to deepen our cooperation鈥�
On defence and security鈥�
And on illegal migration, where we are resetting our approach and that鈥檚 been central today.
We are going to smash the gangs, break their business model, and secure our borders.
We will do this, not by committing taxpayer money to gimmicks鈥�
But with practical solutions, that are in line with international law.
As Director of Public Prosecutions, I saw the work that can be done, across borders鈥�
To bring terrorists to justice and break up their networks.
I simply do not accept that we can鈥檛 do the same with organised migration crime.
We started that work here today.
We鈥檙e increasing the UK presence at Europol in The Hague鈥�
To play our full part in the European Migrant Smuggling Centre.
We鈥檝e agreed new cooperation arrangements with partners like Slovenia and Slovakia, to disrupt organised crime.
And with our new Border Security Command鈥�
We are going to work with our European partners to share intelligence, data and expertise and put the gangs out of business.
To stop illegal migration, we must also tackle it at source.
So today I am announcing 拢84 million of new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East.
That includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities, and access to education.
This is a vital part of gripping the migration crisis.
And it shows how we are going to do business on the world stage.
We are facing up to the huge problems beyond our shores鈥�
Because these problems echo at home.
The effects play out on our streets.
In a dangerous world, we serve no-one and solve nothing by turning inward.
We have to step forward and lead.
That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e doing 鈥� that鈥檚 what we鈥檝e shown here today.
Because it鈥檚 the best way to uphold our values鈥�
And keep our people safe.
So, I鈥檓 proud to leave this summit with stronger relationships across Europe鈥�
And to leave the EPC in a stronger position as well.
With a clear agenda for the coming months鈥�
And the next summits confirmed in Hungary this year鈥�
And Albania and Denmark in 2025.
Thank you very much.