Deepening relations between Germany and the United Kingdom
In a historic moment, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a comprehensive friendship treaty in London on July 1, 2025. This treaty marks a new era in the relationship between the two nations, establishing a strong foundation for cooperation that spans security, defense, economy, migration, and civil society.
The treaty, five years after the UK's exit from the European Union, is designed to deepen cooperation in key areas and address major geopolitical and global challenges through a long-term partnership. It aims to join forces for a prosperous, secure, and sustainable future for citizens of both countries, rooted in open, democratic societies.
The treaty provides a legal framework for relations between the UK and Germany. It is supplemented by an Implementation Plan detailing 17 priority projects to be delivered jointly. This plan is reviewed biennially by a Joint Cabinet.
In the realm of security and defense, the treaty commits to a deeper defense partnership, building on the 2024 Trinity House Agreement. Joint development of advanced defense capabilities such as a Deep Precision Strike capability for deterrence in Europe is planned. Strengthening NATO and addressing threats collectively is a focus.
The UK-Germany alliance will drive reform, reconstruction, and resilience in Ukraine. Coordination and strategic alignment on support for Ukraine across reform, recovery, humanitarian, development, and peace efforts will be a priority. Annual Ukraine Recovery Conferences will be held to enhance donor engagement and civil society involvement.
Economic cooperation extends to financial institutions such as the British Business Bank, British International Investment, and Germany’s KfW. The aim is to mobilize private capital, share best practices, and deepen financial and operational cooperation. The treaty also seeks to promote sustainable markets and accelerate investments to boost economic growth in both economies.
While the treaty highlights deeper cooperation in migration issues and civil society, specific projects in these areas are not detailed in the publicly available information from the signing. An expert group will seek solutions for "mobility issues" created by Brexit, particularly in education, science, culture, and political organizations.
The treaty also aims to expand cooperation in the arms sector. It could enable additional exports worth billions by facilitating the export of jointly produced defense goods. The treaty reaffirms the mutual assistance obligation in case of an attack, already established through NATO membership.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to the UK for the treaty signing is his inaugural trip. The signing of the treaty takes place today in London, marking a significant step forward in the relationship between Germany and the UK. The treaty is expected to bring the two countries closer than ever before.
- The comprehensive friendship treaty, signed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 1, 2025, aims to deepen cooperation in key areas such as politics and general news, as it focuses on joint efforts for a prosperous, secure, and sustainable future for citizens of both countries.
- In the sphere of politics and general news, the treaty commits to reviewing the Implementation Plan biennially by a Joint Cabinet, with a focus on 17 priority projects to be delivered jointly, including specific projects targeting "mobility issues" created by Brexit in education, science, culture, and political organizations.
