Affirmed Collaboration Treaty Between Germany and Great Britain
The UK and Germany have taken a significant step forward in their relationship, signing the **Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation Treaty** on July 17, 2025, five years after Brexit. The 27-page document, which includes 17 priority projects, aims to deepen cooperation across multiple areas, including defense, economic policy, migration control, and travel facilitation [1][2][3].
The treaty reflects a growing joint commitment to counter threats such as Russian aggression. It includes a mutual promise to come to each other's aid in case of attack, and plans for joint export campaigns for military equipment, such as Boxer armored vehicles and Typhoon jets, and collaborative development of a deep precision strike missile over the coming decade [3][4].
In terms of economic policy, the treaty aims to promote investment deals and reduce trade barriers between Europe's second and largest economies. While the UK has not rejoined the EU single market post-Brexit, efforts focus on strong bilateral economic cooperation and joint approaches to global partners to optimize economic benefits for both nations [3][4].
To address the issue of illegal migration, the treaty commits Germany to legal reforms aimed at disrupting routes used by illegal migrants crossing the English Channel to the UK. This joint effort targets migrant smuggling networks to enhance border security and manage migration flows more effectively [3].
The treaty also aims to enhance cooperation in civil society, which often includes easing bureaucratic barriers in citizen exchanges and mobility. Visa-free travel for school groups is expected to be implemented by the end of the year, and the first direct trains from Germany to the UK are expected to roll in ten years [1][2].
The treaty also focuses on strengthening cooperation in combating cross-border crime, focusing on money laundering, illegal financial flows, and drug trafficking. The fight against human trafficking will be bolstered through mutual legal assistance and support in pursuing criminals [1][2].
Both countries reaffirm their military assistance obligation in case of attack, given their NATO membership, especially significant as the UK is a nuclear power. The treaty also commits both countries to regular consultations on foreign and security policy, including coordinated action on global challenges such as Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, Iran, and cooperation within multilateral formats [1][2][4].
The ceremonial event for the signing of the friendship treaty took place in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer putting their signatures on the document. From late August, the first British travelers will be able to use automated border control points (E-Gates) [1][2].
This comprehensive treaty marks a decisive step toward deepened UK-German cooperation in defense, economy, migration, and civil society, establishing a durable legal and policy framework to address 21st-century challenges together [1][2][3][4]. The treaty symbolizes a renewed and institutionalized partnership, reinforcing trust, diplomatic ties, and daily practical collaboration for citizens of both countries.
The friendship treaty between the UK and Germany emphasizes joint efforts in combating cross-border crime, particularly focusing on money laundering, illegal financial flows, and drug trafficking, as outlined in the policy-and-legislation section of the document [1][2]. The treaty also includes a commitment to regular consultations on foreign and security policy, including policy in relation to global partners such as Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, Iran, and cooperation within multilateral formats [1][2][4]. Furthermore, in the realm of general news, the treaty signals a significant development in UK-German relations, marking a service of deepened cooperation across defense, economic policy, migration control, and civil society [1][2][3][4].
