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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a defense and migration treaty “one of a kind“Between the two countries, formalizing the commitment of each country to help the other in the event of an attack.
“It is a historical day for German-British relations“Said the Head of the German government, who had been carrying out his first official visit to the United Kingdom since taking office in May.
“We want to collaborate more closely, in particular after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It is high time for us to conclude such a treaty between us“He added.
Keir Starmer described the Treaty as “one of a kind”. For the British leader, this is a “declaration of intention, a declaration of our ambition to work always more closely together“.
The pact, nicknamed “Treaty of Kensington“, also targets smugglers and includes a Berlin commitment to facilitate migrant traffic to the United Kingdom a criminal offense.
“Chancellor Merz’s engagement to make the necessary changes to German legislation in order to disrupt the supply lines of the dangerous ships which transport illegal migrants through the Channel is extremely welcome“Said the Prime Minister.
According to a Downing Street statement, legal change – which should be adopted by the end of the year – would give the German authorities increased powers to investigate and take measures against warehouses and storage facilities used by smugglers to hide the small boats intended to cross the Channel.
The treaty is based on a defense pact signed last year by the United Kingdom and Germany, two of the largest European support in Ukraine, who have committed to cooperate more closely to deal with the growing threat of Russia.
New bridges with Europe
Keir Starmer tried to improve tense relations with the continental neighbors of the United Kingdom after Brexit in 2020.
If he has excluded to reintegrate the single market of the 27 member states, the Labor leader has sought to strengthen defense cooperation and reduce trade barriers through new agreements.
During a working lunch at 10, Downing Street, the two allies also discussed means of strengthening the support of Europe in Ukraine, and in particular the announcement of the opening of a factory in the United Kingdom by the German start-up Stark, which manufactures drones for Kyiv.
A document published by the German government indicates that the two countries have undertaken to strengthen their cooperation within the framework of military exercises and joint training, as well as to collaborate in the fight against cybermen and the information war.
The leaders also unveiled a joint export campaign aimed at co -producing equipment such as boxer armored vehicles and Typhoon jet planes, and developing a deep precision typing missile during the next decade.
Other parts of the treaty aim to deepen economic cooperation by promoting employment and in particular the creation of high quality jobs, plans for a new cross -border rail link and visa exemption measures for certain categories of travelers.
Regarding the limited agreement that will facilitate school exchanges, Friedrich Merz said he was “happy“that the agreement allows”to the young generation to better know the two countries“.
When signing the agreement, Merz said to himself “surprised“To learn that it was the first Treaty of this type between the United Kingdom and Germany since the Second World War.
“We had you in the European Union and we thought it was enough, but we learn today that it is not enough and that we must therefore do more in this area“He said.
Additional sources • AP
