BRUSSELS (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to Brussels on Wednesday on a mission to try to improve ties with the European Union, which disintegrated as the country left the world’s biggest trading bloc four years ago.
Starmer wanted to focus his talks on security, migration and trade. He was due to hold talks with the leaders of the bloc’s main institutions: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
“The U.K. is undeniably stronger when it works in lockstep with its closest international partners. This has never been more important — with war, conflict and insecurity all knocking on Europe’s door,” Starmer said in a statement released by his office ahead of the one-day trip.
Starmer said that he is “determined to put the Brexit years behind us and establish a more pragmatic and mature relationship with the European Union.”
Better cooperation, he said, “will deliver the benefits the British people deserve — securing our borders, keeping us safe and boosting economic growth.”
The EU, for its part, wants to build bridges between young people on either side of the English Channel by introducing a scheme that would allow young EU and U.K. citizens to study, work and live for short periods in the U.K. and the EU respectively. Supporters of Brexit oppose it.
Since his center-left Labour Party’s resounding election win on July 4, Starmer has sought a larger role for Britain on the global stage after years of soured relations with Europe over Brexit.
He has vowed to reduce some of the post-Brexit barriers for people and goods that have undermined ties between Britain and the bloc. Starmer insists though that he won’t reverse Brexit, or rejoin the EU’s single market and customs union.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen smiles as she waits for the start of the weekly College of Commissioners meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on the evolving situation in the Middle East, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Benjamin Cremel/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on the evolving situation in the Middle East, inside 10 Downing Street in London, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Benjamin Cremel/Pool Photo via AP)
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Police in the Danish capital said two predawn explosions took place Wednesday in the vicinity of the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen, prompting the nearby Jewish school to close for the day.
Police said no one had been injured and they were investigating whether there was a link between the blasts at around 3:20 a.m. and the Israeli diplomatic mission, which is close to several other embassies.
They declined to say whether anyone had been arrested.
Heavily armed officers, search dogs and forensic teams were inspecting the area which had been cordoned off.
Copenhagen's Jewish school, Carolineskolen, which is just down the street from the embassy, was already due to remain closed on Thursday and Friday for the Jewish New Year holidays, Michael Rachlin, a spokesperson for Denmark’s Jewish community told The Associated Press.
There will also be extra security around the main synagogue in downtown Copenhagen, the Jewish community said in a statement. Community chairman Henrik Goldstein wrote that he “would like to encourage people to be aware when moving in public spaces.”
“And be critical of what you hear on social media and rumors,” he wrote, adding that “there is no reason to refrain from participating in Jewish life.”
Police refused to give details about the intensity of the reported blasts or the damage they may have caused.
Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told broadcaster TV2 that the incident was “inherently serious,” adding it was too early to say anything about a motive.
On Tuesday night, the area around the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm was also closed off after a loud bang was reported. Police later announced that findings from the scene indicated that the embassy was hit by bullets. No one has been arrested, they said.
Swedish broadcaster TV4 said that a weapon and an empty shell casing had been found at or near the embassy. Sweden's domestic security agency told the AP that it was not conducting a preliminary investigation linked to Tuesday's incident in Stockholm and referred to the ordinary police.
Police investigate explosions near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Military police officers stand guard as police investigate two explosions near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Copenhagen Police investigate two explosions near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
A police vehicle is seen near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, as police investigate two explosions near the site, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
