British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for talks in Brussels as part of a post-Brexit reset between the EU and UK.
In remarks before the discussions, Ms von der Leyen said the scale and speed of geopolitical problems meant that like-minded partners "must cooperate more closely".
Mentioning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, she said the EU and UK had cooperated closely at G7 level and on sanctions, while both sides were "strongly aligned" on the fight against climate change.
Ms von der Leyen said a solid set of agreements between both sides - the Brexit Withdrawal Treaty and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) - were in place.
However, she hinted that the EU was keen to ensure that the arrangements, including those underpinning the post-Brexit trading arrangements on the island of Ireland, were honoured.
"We should explore the scope for more cooperation while we focus on the full and faithful implementation of the [Brexit] Withdrawal Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the TCA," she said.
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Mr Starmer said the British public wanted to return to "pragmatic, sensible leadership when it comes to dealing with our closest neighbours, to make Brexit work and to deliver in their interests, to find ways to boost economic growth, strengthen our security and tackle shared challenges like irregular migration and climate change".
He did not mention the Windsor Framework nor did he spell out how Britain would seek a closer trading relationship with the EU, given his stated red lines in not rejoining the single market or customs union.
The UK prime minister echoed Ms von der Leyen’s condemnation of the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel and called on all sides in the conflict to pull back from the brink and seek a path to negotiations.
"We stand with Israel, recognising her full right to security and to self defense," he said.
