"British PM invites first EU summit after Brexit"...February next year.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is seeking to improve relations with the European Union (EU), is expected to meet with EU leaders in February next year.

Citing two EU officials, the Financial Times (FT) said former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, who will take office as permanent president of the EU summit on the 1st of next month, will invite Starmer to a luncheon with the leaders of 27 EU member states in Belgium on February 3 next year.

No British prime minister has attended such a meeting since Britain's departure from the EU in 2020, Brexit, and the invitation is a major milestone for Starmer's government, which is seeking to reset ties with the EU, the Financial Times said.

The meeting in February next year is an informal event that does not leave the results of the meeting in writing, including a statement, and is expected to be a place to discuss security initiatives.

Starmer's government, which launched in July, said it was discussing cooperation in various areas, including trade and security, while drawing a line on rejoining the EU.