LONDON, Dec 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Britain's Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set
to address a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers in Brussels on Monday to
urge a "business-like relationship" between the European Union and post-
Brexit UK.

She will be the first British chancellor to attend a Eurogroup meeting since
the UK left the bloc, and is set to call for a "relationship built on trust,
mutual respect and pragmatism", according to a press release from the
Treasury.

While in Brussels, Reeves is expected to call for an easing of trade
barriers, a boost to investment and help to enable "our businesses sell in
each other's markets".

She is also due to discuss UK and EU support for Ukraine.

The visit is the latest in the Labour government's bid to "reset" relations
with the EU after years of post-Brexit rancour under previous Conservative
governments.

In October, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met European Commission President
Ursula von de Leyen to discuss strengthening relations.

The British leader, who voted in the UK's 2016 referendum to remain in the
EU, has insisted his reset will not mean reversing Brexit and has ruled out a
return to the European single market or customs union.

Starmer's government has pledged to refire the economy and boost growth,
including by resetting international relations with the EU and beyond.

While Reeves engages in bilateral talks in Brussels, Starmer will be visiting
the UAE and Saudi Arabia on Monday to drum up investment from the oil-rich
states and push for a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Reeves' next international visit will be to Beijing in 2025, according to the
Treasury.