UK PM Starmer pledges migration cooperation ahead of Italy talks

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with the new UK Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt, ahead of his visit to Rome, at an airfield near London, Britain, September 15, 2024. REUTERS/Phil Noble/Pool

ROME (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised "a new era" in cross-border cooperation to tackle people smuggling gangs ahead of talks on Monday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, part of his push to reset Britain's relations with Europe.

Starmer has put renewing ties with European leaders at the top of his diplomatic agenda since winning an election in July, and Monday's visit to Rome follows trips to Berlin, Paris and Dublin in recent weeks.