Summary

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK is "resetting" its approach to illegal migration, as he speaks at the end of a European leaders' summit

  • He also announces £84m of funding for projects in Africa and the Middle East to tackle illegal migration "at source"

  • When asked by the BBC, he says he agrees with French President Emmanuel Macron that there's no "silver bullet" for small boat crossings

  • Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said "Putin has not divided us" as he thanked nearly 50 leaders gathered at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire "for every life saved by your support"

Live Reporting

Edited by Emily Atkinson

  1. Orban clenches his fists and raises them as he stamps his arrival

    Fists in the air for Hungarian PM Viktor OrbanReuters

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attracted criticism from EU chief Ursula von der Leyen over what she described as an "appeasement mission" meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month

    Sir Keir Starmer is the fourth British prime minister that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met since he took office in 2021Reuters

    Sir Keir Starmer is the fourth British prime minister that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has met since he took office in 2021 - the pair chatted last week in Washington on the side-lines of the 75th Nato anniversary meeting

    Belgium’s outgoing PM Alexander de Croo with Sir Keir StarmerReuters

    Belgium’s outgoing PM Alexander de Croo has warned against UK “cherry picking” new arrangements with the EU

  2. Zelensky and Stoltenberg up next - as Ukraine war remains high on the agenda

    Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg arrives at Blenheim PalaceReuters

    Last week in Washington Jens Stoltenberg outlined further Nato measures to support Ukraine with training and logistics - but he stressed these would not make the organisation "a party to the conflict"

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Sir Keir StarmerPA Media

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media to say he would meet King Charles, government officials and executives from defence companies after attending the European Political Community Summit in Blenheim

  3. Spanish PM arrives - will he bring up the Euros final?

    Spanish PM Pedro SanchezPA Media

    Just like Keir Starmer, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez is a keen football fan. Days ago the pair were in Berlin to watch Spain beat England 2-1 at the Euro 2024 final. Will Sanchez bring up the result at Blenheim Palace?

    Sir Keir Starmer met with Taoiseach Simon Harris at Blenheim PalacePA Media

    On Thursday, Keir Starmer met with Taoiseach Simon Harris at Chequers. The two leaders then had dinner together at the country house - the British PM said he was pleased to have the opportunity to "reset" the UK's relationship with Ireland

    Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas resigned from her role on Monday in order to take up a new job as the European Union's next foreign policy chiefPA Media

    Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, a staunch critic of Russia's Vladimir Putin, resigned from her role on Monday in order to take up a new job as the European Union's next foreign policy chief

  4. Starmer calls for stronger relations with France

    Emmanuel Macron welcomed Sir Keir Starmer at Elysee PalaceLaurent Blevennec/Presidency of the Republic

    Emmanuel Macron welcoming Sir Keir Starmer at Elysée Palace in September last year

    Keir Starmer says the UK and France will mark a "new chapter" as he welcomes President Macron for the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire.

    Writing for the French newspaper Le Monde, Starmer says a stronger relationship with France is "essential" and his government is "determined to reset" its relationship with Europe.

    This year marks another important anniversary in our shared history – 120 years of the Entente Cordiale. It's true, we are no longer united through the EU, but we are united by so much – as partners in the G7, allies in NATO, colleagues on the UN Security Council and champions of those enduring values."

    "Our two nations are pillars of European security and stability, and so we have a particular responsibility to respond" to the war in Ukraine, Starmer writes.

    "We can never allow aggression to prevail on our continent," he adds.

    Starmer says he wants to increase cooperation on defence and security with his European partners, and will discuss the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, climate change and illegal migration with President Macron.

    The Labour prime minister also commits to upholding the European Convention on Human Rights, saying, "This government will approach this issue with humanity and with profound respect for international law".

  5. Kosovo, Swiss and Norway leaders next to arrive

    Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani with Keir StarmerStefan Rousseau/PA Wire

    Kosovo's president Vjosa Osmani has said she will be reaffirming her commitment to bringing her country "closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions"

    President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd greeted by Keir StarmerReuters

    President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd is due to take part in a EPC discussion on "democracy, which will address hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns"

    Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store standing next to Keir StarmerStefan Rousseau/PA Wire

    The government of Norway's Jonas Gahr Støre has been one of the biggest financial supporters of Ukraine

  6. In pictures: a few more arrivals

    The arrivals of foreign dignitaries are continuing at full steam at Blenheim Palace, with foreign leaders being greeted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

    Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan standing next to Keir Starmer on the steps of Blenheim PalaceReuters

    Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, once Russia's strategic ally, has been seeking closer ties with the West

    Starmer welcomes Latvia PM Evika Silina to the summitStefan Rousseau/PA Wire

    Latvian PM Evika Silina, whose country shares a border with Russia, has urged Nato to reinforce its eastern flank

    Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden shaking hands with Keir StarmerStefan Rousseau/PA Wire

    Luxembourg's Luc Frieden has reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting Ukraine's future membership of Nato

  7. Security, energy, AI - what else did previous meetings focus on?

    The first meeting in October 2022 was held after Russia first invaded Ukraine, and focused primarily on peace and security issues.

    The summit - held that year in Prague - also discussed energy prices, one of the key reasons behind establishing a pan-European summit that would allow for quick, continent-wide measures to be taken.

    In Moldova in June 2023, the same themes took centre stage, alongside connectivity and mobility in Europe.

    And in Granada in October 2023, leaders discussed making the continent more resilient and prosperous, with the UK leading discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and illegal migration.

  8. Symbolism to the fore as summit takes place at Churchill's birthplace

    James Landale
    Diplomatic correspondent, reporting from Blenheim Palace

    Blenheim Palace at Woodstock near Oxford.

    Summits are all about symbolism. Downing Street says the EPC is being held here at Blenheim Palace because it is the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

    They say he “stood up to a previous generation of aggression on European soil and was the inspiration for the Council of Europe”.

    The slight problem is that not all the symbolism is that appropriate. The grand baroque mansion where the summit is being held is named after an historic battle in 1704 from a time when Europe was once again divided by war.

    Only then it was the British and the Austrians defeating, well, the French and the Bavarians. A penny for the thoughts of President Macron as he walks past the paintings of defeated French forces bowing down to Britannia.

  9. Summit a chance for us to reset relationship with Europe - Lammy

    David Lammy

    UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been speaking this morning ahead of the gathering of European leaders at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

    Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he says the summit is an opportunity for the UK to "reset our relationship with Europe".

    Lammy says immigration is an "issue across Europe", and that it is a key priority for today along with security and the war in Ukraine.

    He also says the Labour government's scrapping of the Rwanda scheme has been welcomed across the European family.

    Also speaking to the Today programme, the foreign secretary says that with the possible win of Donald Trump in the US election in November, "Europeans will have to bear a bigger slice of the burden for European security".

    Lammy says there are "many actors" in relation to US foreign policy and that many of them understand that "European security and security in the Pacific are linked".

  10. Dignitaries start arriving at Blenheim Palace

    Sir Keir Starmer has started to welcome the first dignitaries to arrive at Blenheim Palace for the European Political Community meeting.

    Among the first to greet the prime minister were Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof.

    Starmer welcomes Marija Pejcinovic Buric to the summitStefan Rousseau/PA Wire

    Croatian Marija Pejcinovic Buric heads the 46-member-state Council of Europe, which aims to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law

    Keir Starmer with Netherlands PM Dick SchoofStefan Rousseau/PA Wire

    Dick Schoof took over from Mark Rutte as Dutch PM on 2 July

  11. Starmer to tell summit European security priority for his government

    Keir Starmer speaking in front of a Union Jack flagReuters

    The prime minister is set to tell the meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) that he believes the challenges facing Europe cannot be solved alone, and that countries “must work collectively to deliver solutions”.

    He will pledge to help lead the Europe-wide effort to combat organised immigration crime and people smuggling gangs in co-operation with European border and law enforcement agencies as well as individual member states.

    “We cannot let the challenges of the recent past define our relationships of the future," Starmer will tell European leaders.

    "That is why European security will be at the forefront of this government’s foreign and defence priorities, and why I am focused on seizing this moment to renew our relationship with Europe."

    He will add that it will start with the UK taking a more active role on the world stage, rooted in “upholding democratic values and international law”.

    “We will only be able to secure our borders, drive economic growth and defend our democracies if we work together,” the PM will add.

  12. The guest list at a glance

    Volodymyr Zelensky gestures as he speaks into a microphoneReuters

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is one of the leaders attending - here he is pictured at a previous EPC summit in Moldova

    Invited to take part in the fourth summit of the European Political Community are 47 heads of state and government, as well as EU institutions.

    These include the leaders of the 27 EU members states and other European nations, including Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the meeting and the EU will be represented by the European Council President Charles Michel. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will also attend the meeting.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not be attending as the EPC meeting coincides with a secret vote by members of the European Parliament on her second term as its head.

    Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also not be present.

  13. Analysis

    Security ever-more urgent for European leaders

    James Landale
    Diplomatic correspondent, reporting from Blenheim Palace

    The European Political Community was born in the dangerous months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    The bi-annual summits give European leaders - both within the EU and without - a chance to discuss how best to ensure the security on their continent.

    That imperative is ever more urgent after Russian gains on the battlefield and rising chances of Donald Trump withdrawing US support for Ukraine.

    So today’s gathering is not just an opportunity for a new prime minister to engage in some diplomatic speed dating, it also allows European leaders to discuss how to boost their defences, secure their energy supplies, and make their economies, politics and borders more resilient.

    Critics say these one-day summits are talking shops. But today they’re talking about how to protect Europe from Russian aggression and American uncertainty. And that talk matters.

  14. What is the European Political Community?

    The European Political Community (EPC) first met in October 2022 and brought together the leaders of 44 European nations.

    The idea for the summit developed in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    A “platform for political coordination”, the EPC aims to “foster political dialogue and cooperation” and “strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent”.

    The community, initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, does not publish binding commitments and is a forum which does not replace any existing organisation. It is also not linked to the European Union.

    So far, the meeting has been held three times: in October 2022 in the Czech Republic, in June 2023 in Moldova and in October 2023 in Spain.

    The bi-annual meetings are hosted alternately by non-EU members and the EU member state which holds the EU Council Presidency.

    The next meeting will take place in Hungary in November.

  15. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to host European leaders' summit

    Nadia Ragozhina
    Live page editor

    Sir Keir StarmerPA Media

    Welcome to our live coverage of the gathering of the European Political Community taking place at Blenheim Palace - the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

    The almost 50 European leaders who are attending will discuss continued support to Ukraine, energy and connectivity, security and democracy, as well as migration.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host the fourth EPC summit, which he plans to use to push for action to secure the continent's borders as he steps up efforts to tackle the UK's asylum backlog.

    The leaders will also attend a reception hosted by King Charles III.

    We will start seeing the dignitaries arrive soon, so stay with us as we bring you the latest news and analysis from the summit.