New chapter in German-British friendship
Federal Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Starmer have signed a German-British friendship treaty that contains numerous specific agreements.
London (dpa) – Five years after Brexit, Germany and the United Kingdom have signed a comprehensive friendship treaty, establishing a new basis for their relations. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the 27-page document during a ceremony held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The treaty is supplemented by a 17-point action plan.
“This is a historic day for German-British relations,” Merz said.
Starmer praised the treaty as being “the first of its kind,” adding that it would “bring the UK and Germany closer than ever”.
The treaty aims to deepen cooperation in defence and economic policy, as well as in reducing irregular migration and fighting cross-border crime. Planning also provides for a number of specific obstacles to travel to be removed, such as allowing for visa-free school trips and realising a direct train link between the two countries.
Ten years from now, the first trains from Germany to Great Britain are to run through the Channel Tunnel. At this point, travellers need to change trains, in part due to the requirement to have their passports checked.