Sánchez conveys his “recognition and affection” to Starmer after his resignation and remembers the tenth anniversary of Brexit

Eduardo González The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, conveyed his “recognition and affection” on Monday to the outgoing Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, who submitted his resignation that same day after two years in office and amid internal pressures within his own Labour Party. “Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23, marks a decade since the referendum that led to Brexit, and, by the way, I take this opportunity to convey my recognition and affection to Prime Minister Starmer,” Sánchez stated during his speech at the closing of the event 'Green and Digital Spain: The Impact of the Recovery Plan' at the Teatro Real in Madrid, which was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and other members of his cabinet. “That day, the second most powerful economy on the continent of the European project made the unprecedented decision in the history of the European Union to leave the Community. Nothing like this had ever happened before (...), there was no instruction manual, nor a roadmap for a scenario that no one could have imagined, such as one of the most important countries leaving a common project,” he added. For his part, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, wrote to Keir Starmer to thank him for his support during his time in office. “Throughout your time in office, your Government has maintained the steadfast support for Gibraltar that we have come to expect from successive British Governments,” Picardo stated. “We are particularly grateful that, during your premiership, we have seen the agreement of the UK-EU Treaty relating to Gibraltar, establishing a framework for future prosperity and certainty whilst safeguarding the fundamental principles that matter most to the People of Gibraltar,” he continued. ““The relationship between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom has continued to strengthen during your premiership and I am grateful for your commitment to ensuring that Gibraltar's interests have been properly understood and protected throughout the challenges and opportunities we have faced,” he added. Starmer has announced his resignation due to internal criticism within the Labour Party and has set July 9 as the start date for the process to replace him. So far, former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed his candidacy in the Labour leadership contest and is considered the frontrunner to succeed him. Since Brexit, six prime ministers have held office in just a decade. EU For her part, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, published a message addressed to Starmer in which she stated that “it takes many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years.” “European and Ukrainian security is stronger thanks to you,” she added. Meanwhile, the President of the European Council, António Costa, emphasized that, during Starmer's term, the United Kingdom and the European Union opened “a new chapter” in their bilateral relations. He reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to continued cooperation within this framework and stated that it had been “a pleasure” to work with him “as a colleague and friend.” EU-UK Summit The announcement of Keir Starmer's resignation comes just days after he and the President of the European Council, António Costa, announced last Tuesday the holding of the second summit between the United Kingdom and the European Union, scheduled for July 22 in Brussels. The first bilateral summit between the European Union and the United Kingdom since Brexit took place on May 19, 2025, in London, chaired by Starmer, Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with the participation of High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. When asked about the potential impact of Starmer's decision on the planned meeting, the European Commission's chief spokesperson, Paula Pinho, indicated that Brussels, together with the President of the Council and the United Kingdom, is "reassessing" whether the summit will proceed.

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