Migration strain
The journey additionally highlighted simply how a lot strain each leaders face on migration, a problem that got here up repeatedly in press questions.
Starmer pointedly stated the U.Ok. has “no plans” to set-up a a lot feted youth mobility scheme — which might ease restrictions on Brits and EU nationals finding out and dealing overseas — as a part of his reset, though he didn’t straight rule out such a proposal.
The U.Ok. chief additionally talked up “substantive discussions” with Scholz on curbing unlawful migration, together with an as-yet obscure “joint motion plan” on the problem.
For his half, Scholz, who’s underneath mounting strain domestically within the wake of a lethal stabbing assault in Solingen and the arrest of a Syrian nationwide suspect, sought to strike a tough-sounding tone on irregular migration.
“We have now massively expanded controls on the German borders and can proceed to take action for so long as attainable,” he stated. “And but the numbers are nowhere close to what the residents count on.”
He added: “If you’d like authorized immigration, it’s important to restrict irregular migration in order that the nation shouldn’t be overwhelmed. This could and have to be achieved with out calling worldwide agreements, European regulation or the structure into query. We owe this to the victims of Solingen.”
Subsequent cease for Starmer is Paris. He’ll be attending the Paralympics Opening Ceremony and can use the chance to pop by the Elysée Palace for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Noah Keate contributed reporting.
