Over 45 European leaders to join summit at Blenheim Palace

The summit has migration, energy and “defending and securing democracy” high on the agenda, according to Number 10.

In a statement as he prepares to host the summit, Sir Keir said: “Europe is at the forefront of some of the greatest challenges of our time.

“Russia’s barbaric war continues to reverberate across our continent, while vile smuggling gangs traffic innocent people on perilous journeys that too often end in tragedy.

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“We cannot be spectators in this chapter of history.

"We must do more and go further, not just for the courageous Ukrainians on the front lines, or those being trafficked from country to country, but so our future generations look back with pride at what our continent achieved together.

Blenheim Palace (Image: Blenheim Palace) “I said I would change the way the UK engages with our European partners, working collaboratively to drive forward progress on these generational challenges, and that work starts at the European Political Community meeting on Thursday.”

The gathering this week provides an early opportunity for face-to-face talks on the future of the UK’s relationship with its allies across the Channel.

Sir Keir said the flurry of pre-arranged diplomatic engagements meant that meetings which would normally take months to arrange could happen within the first fortnight of his premiership.

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The Prime Minister wants an ambitious new UK-EU security pact to strengthen co-operation and seeks closer work on defence with key allies such as France and Germany.

The Union flag and the EU flag (Image: Jane Barlow/PA)

In a sign of the importance placed on such efforts by the Labour administration, Sir Keir has given Nick Thomas-Symonds the newly created job of minister for European relations.

He is expected to meet French President Emmanuel Macron, who pioneered the EPC event, for a bilateral dinner after the summit, and Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris beforehand for their first official inward visit.

Downing Street said that “sustainability” would be at the heart of the summit under the new administration, with 80 per cent of the fruits and vegetables being served to delegates coming from Blenheim’s gardens.

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Attendees of the summit will enjoy Oxfordshire strawberries and cream, alongside more than 800 scones during afternoon tea. 

For the first time Nato, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe will also be in attendance, which No 10 said demonstrated “the importance of unity” in responding to conflict and instability inside and near Europe’s borders.

There will be an opening plenary session, followed by three roundtable discussions on migration, energy and connectivity, and “defending and securing democracy”, before a closing plenary.