German Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to Great Britain on Friday to meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Queen Elizabeth II. Initially (1.30 p.m.), consultations with Johnson are planned at his country estate Checkers, northwest of London. At around 5 p.m. Central European time, the Chancellor will be received by the Queen at Windsor Castle for an audience. The trip should be Merkel’s farewell visit as Chancellor in Great Britain.
Merkel wants to work for a deepening of German-British relations in the consultations with Johnson after Britain’s exit from the EU, the Brexit. The measures to contain the corona pandemic and the dynamics due to the more aggressive Delta virus variant should also be topics. Merkel had already commented critically that a high number of spectators was allowed in London in the EM stadium.
Merkel’s visit to London is seen as an opportunity to consolidate diplomatic relations with the second largest trading partner after years of wrangling over Britain’s exit from the European Union. In the run-up to the visit, Johnson praised Merkel’s positive influence on bilateral relations during her 16-year tenure. The two heads of state are expected to agree on a number of initiatives at their meeting, ranging from an annual joint meeting of the British and German Cabinets to cultural and youth exchange programs.
During her visit to Great Britain on Friday, Merkel will take part in a video conference of the British Cabinet and address the ministers – an honor that, according to information, was last bestowed on then US President Bill Clinton in 1997. As the Johnson office announced, it was the first time in nearly 25 years that a foreign government was doing this.
Johnson has also awarded a prize to female scientists from Germany and Great Britain in honor of Merkel, who holds a doctorate in physics. The prize is named after the German-British astronomer Caroline Herschel and is endowed with 10,000 pounds (11,600 euros), as the British government announced on Friday. It is to be awarded annually to an astrophysicist from Germany or Great Britain.
According to information from Downing Street, a new German-British cultural dialogue, an increase in funds for the Connection exchange program and funding for a direct electricity connection between Germany and Great Britain are also planned. Johnson said Germany and the UK are linked by an “unwavering friendship” and “shared views” on many political issues. During Merkel’s 16-year term in office, the German-British relationship had been “revived”.
