An expected summit between Keir Starmer and the President of the European Commission has been postponed due to the EU's frustration with the UK government's continued caution over the reinstatement of programs such as the Erasmus youth mobility and university exchange program.
The prime minister was expected to meet Ursula von der Leyen in the first or second week of September, but sources say the meeting could take place as early as the end of October.
EU diplomats said there was "disquiet" in some quarters that the UK government had not been more positive about youth and student schemes, saying the show of caution over such pro-low-profile programs cast doubt on hopes for a wider review of the UK's relationship with the EU.
Brussels sources said they wondered whether Starmer was acting out of an excess of caution, fearing that pro-Brexit opponents would accuse him of trying to reverse the course of Brexit if he agreed too readily to reinstate the programs.
Others said the EU was "drawing its own red lines" by informing reporters that a deal to ease travel for musicians and artists was unlikely. | BGNES
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