Next month will see the beginnings of Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to reset relations with the EU as he hosts a Brexit summit in the UK. Germany’s ambassador to Britain Miguel Berger hopes that the meeting will mark the start of new and further relations between the two, with the future of Brexit lying with the prime minister. Mr Berger also said the EU would be open to talks when the Trade and Cooperation Agreement has its five-year review.

The ambassador outlined that much of the outcome would depend on the “level of ambition of the British government”, with the May 19 summit kicking off discussions. The prime minister and EU leaders will initially agree a new EU-UK defence and security pact, as well as other deals which include energy and a youth mobility scheme.

Ahead of the summit, Sir Keir has said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve committed to a reset of our relationship, a really important relationship, which I think will be of huge benefit to both of us.”

Mr Berger clarified that if talks in May were successful, they could pave the way for another set of reforms between the UK and the EU during the 2026 review.

Speaking at the Trade and Business Commission last week, he said the summit would be a “starting point” for ongoing negotiations, as the future of Brexit has been plunged into doubt, receiving backlash from those who opted to leave.

On the youth mobility scheme, the German ambassador has said he is “really optimistic” about the deal being reached. However, shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith accused the government of bringing back freedom of movement “by stealth”.

“They may call it a youth mobility scheme but if nobody ever gets removed at the end of their time here then it's immigration by another name,” he added.

However, Sir Keir's“red lines” rule out Britain returning to the single market, customs union or free movement. “We obviously accept the red lines as they were defined,” said Mr Berger.

He added: “In the end, for us, it’s the question of the level of ambition of the British government. If the British government would like to move further, we are open to discuss that.”

The ambassador hopes that once the current topics at hand are successfully negotiated, “that may allow us to go further than what’s currently on the table”.