Keir Starmer and Olaf Scholz bring Germans and Britons closer together

Germany and Great Britain want to put their relations on a new footing with a treaty. “We do not want to leave it at declarations of commitment, but rather put our relationship on a completely new footing,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Wednesday during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s inaugural visit to Berlin. “Today we are opening a new chapter in British-German relations,” Starmer confirmed. It is “a unique opportunity.”

At the same time as Scholz and Starmer’s press conference, both governments published a joint statement. It said that the bilateral cooperation agreement, which is currently being worked on, should be signed at the beginning of next year. Government consultations will also be held for this purpose. With the agreement, the governments in Berlin and London are responding to the “challenges facing our two countries” and are taking their relations “to a new level,” it continued.

“Germany and the United Kingdom have a long and trusting partnership, characterized by shared values ​​and reliable friendship,” Scholz stressed at the press conference in the Chancellery in Berlin. “We will nurture and maintain this cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, for the benefit of Europe and for the security of the transatlantic area.”

Keir Starmer and Olaf Scholz sign defence agreement

“Today we are opening a new chapter in British-German relations,” stressed Starmer. The “heart of the treaty” is a new defense agreement. “But we will also work more closely together on issues such as the fight against illegal migration and climate protection,” said the British Prime Minister.

Scholz stressed that such a treaty had never existed before. At the same time, he welcomed the fact that Starmer was striving for “a new start in our relationship with the European Union.” “We want to take hold of this outstretched hand.” After all, the United Kingdom has “always been an indispensable part in solving the major issues that affect the whole of Europe,” said the Chancellor.

The joint statement states that Germany and Great Britain are “bound by a strong friendship and shared values ​​and interests.” “The treaty will reflect our status as particularly close partners in Europe, with the greatest possible mutual cooperation in the areas that matter most to our citizens.”

Both countries support Ukraine

“Foreign policy cooperation for peace and security, the growth of our economies” and “industrial transformation” were expressly mentioned. In addition, Germany and Great Britain want to work more closely together in combating irregular migration and in law enforcement. The areas of youth and education, energy security, climate and environmental policy, development cooperation, transport, as well as technology, research and innovation are also to be taken into account in the agreement.

The joint statement also explicitly mentioned the joint support for Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia. “We are determined to deter a more aggressive Russia, maintain our support for Ukraine and strengthen European defense,” it said. Through their cooperation in the military field, Germany and Great Britain wanted to help ensure that “our ability to deter and defend in the Euro-Atlantic area remains credible at all times and against every potential threat and every potential enemy.”

Scholz received Starmer with military honors. The British Prime Minister had previously been received by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace. It is the British head of government’s first visit to Germany since taking office at the beginning of July.