Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to deepen cooperation between the United Kingdom and the European Union ahead of a key summit scheduled for the end of next month. During his first visit to an EU country since taking office, Burnham met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin to discuss ways to strengthen ties.

The leaders agreed on a package of initiatives, including the potential involvement of Germany in an international coalition focused on developing next-generation fighter jets. Speaking alongside Merz, Burnham expressed optimism that the upcoming summit would yield substantive progress for both the UK and the EU.

“We’ve had an excellent discussion today, and we will look to see if we can turn the summit into a good outcome for the EU, but also for the UK as well,” Burnham said.

A spokesman for the prime minister emphasized the UK’s goal of forging a more ambitious partnership with the EU, aimed at delivering practical benefits for citizens and businesses on both sides.

Burnham’s engagement with the EU aligns with commitments made earlier this year at the Labour Party conference, where he outlined a roadmap for closer integration with the bloc. He has also not excluded the possibility of campaigning for a second Brexit referendum in the next general election.

In addition to economic and political cooperation, the UK and Germany announced a new joint security partnership focused on countering sabotage, cyberattacks, and hybrid threats attributed to Russia. The initiative will enhance information sharing and coordinated efforts to monitor, deter, and disrupt such threats.

The discussions reflect Burnham’s broader approach to re-engaging with European partners following the Brexit process, signaling a willingness to deepen collaboration despite the political complexities surrounding the UK’s relationship with the EU. The upcoming summit is seen as a critical opportunity to formalize advances in various areas, including defense, security, and economic ties.