According to Germany’s ambassador to the UK, Miguel Berger, Keir Starmer’s efforts to rebuild Britain’s relationship with its European allies hinge on a proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme.
He suggested that European stability could be jeopardized without securing “clear measures” like this scheme.
Berger emphasized the simplicity of the scheme, aiming to allow young people to gain experience abroad before returning home.
“The most important thing is [that] people who come here will go home after that. So the idea is really to have the experience, but then go home.”
Miguel Berger
However, Berger acknowledged that there have been attempts to misrepresent the scheme as a form of migration or an extension of freedom of movement. He noted the importance of British officials clearly communicating the benefits of this initiative.
A YouGov poll for the European Council on Foreign Relations found broad support for the scheme among Britons, with nearly seven in ten backing the idea of allowing 200,000 young people from the UK and the EU to travel, study, and work in each other’s countries for up to four years. Interestingly, 55% of former pro-Brexit voters also favored the scheme.
Berger underlined the significance of this initiative as part of a broader effort to reset UK-EU relations. He also pointed to the Erasmus program as another key element.
“I think it is an important element. Another one is the Erasmus scheme. All of that, at least for us, is really, really important.”
Miguel Berger
The ambassador criticized attempts to mislead the public about the scheme’s implications, stating, “We also see, looking at social media and some papers, that there is an attempt, obviously, to portray things in the wrong way.”
Conservative Criticism and Starmer’s Position
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, had previously criticized Starmer, accusing him of planning to “give away our hard-won Brexit freedoms.” In response, Starmer, in an interview with the Sun, maintained that freedom of movement was a “red line” for his administration.
Despite the criticism, Berger assured that the scheme respected Brexit’s boundaries. “It respects all the red lines. And it’s simply trying to see where are areas, where it’s in our mutual interest to work more closely together,” he explained, expressing confidence in finding a solution.
Berger’s comments come as officials recognize significant progress in UK-EU relations over the past six months, particularly in joint projects like the Trinity House defense pact.
The treaty, initially planned before the German elections, has been postponed to ensure the new government can fully commit to its implementation. Berger emphasized Germany’s strong partnership with the UK, evidenced by visits from Christian Democratic Union politicians to British officials.
As the UK and Germany align on critical issues like Ukraine’s security, Berger highlighted the importance of engaging with both the US and Russia to ensure peace.
Looking ahead, Starmer is set to meet EU leaders at an informal summit next month, marking the first invitation the UK has received since Brexit. Berger’s remarks suggest that concessions, such as youth mobility, may be necessary for securing economic benefits, including improved trade relations with the EU.
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