The Party of European Socialists has welcomed Andy Burnham's call for a stronger long-term UK-Europe relationship after PES secretary general Giacomo Filibeck met Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty at Labour's conference in Liverpool.
Filibeck met Doughty, who sits on the PES presidency as well as serving as a Foreign Office minister of state, during the gathering. In a statement, PES said it and Labour were advancing shared priorities for working people, including "decent work, strong public services and a more affordable life".
The organisation linked the meeting to Burnham's conference speech on Tuesday, in which the Prime Minister said Britain needed to decide on its long-term relationship with its largest market. He said Brexit had "done more harm than good" and promised to set out options around the forthcoming UK-EU summit.
PES said closer cooperation between European socialists and Labour could help make life more affordable and strengthen democracy on both sides of the Channel.
The meeting reflects Labour's continuing political links with its sister parties across Europe. Doughty, who represents Cardiff South and Penarth, sits for Labour on the PES presidency, while Filibeck leads the organisation's day-to-day work.
Burnham did not endorse a specific new arrangement with the EU in his conference speech. He said he would present the different options and seek consensus on a way forward. PES and Labour have not announced a new agreement or detailed joint policy programme arising from the Liverpool meeting.
