Formalized Pact of German-British Camaraderie
In a historic moment, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the *Treaty of Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation* in 2022, marking a significant deepening of ties between the two nations. The treaty, aimed at fostering cooperation in defense, economic policy, mobility, migration, and cross-border crime, sets forth a broad spectrum of joint initiatives.
One of the key areas of focus is defense cooperation. The treaty establishes a mutual defense pact, pledging that any strategic threat to one country is a threat to the other. This commitment includes a promise to assist each other, including militarily in the event of an armed attack, supplementing NATO commitments. The treaty also encompasses 17 joint projects, such as the development of an advanced deep precision strike weapon with a range over 2,000 km, cooperation to counter submarine threats in the Northern Seas, and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.
To further strengthen their defense partnership, the treaty promotes joint export initiatives for military equipment like Eurofighter Typhoon jets and Boxer armored vehicles. This move aims to address previous export barriers due to German regulations.
In the realm of migration and law enforcement, the treaty mandates the German government to amend laws to criminalize the facilitation of illegal migration, targeting networks that smuggle migrants and conceal small boats used for Channel crossings. Both countries also commit to enhanced law enforcement cooperation, especially to combat organized crime and people smuggling gangs.
The treaty also addresses mobility and transport, with commitments to improve cross-border mobility. A notable initiative is the planned Eurostar route from London to Frankfurt, set for an early 2030s launch, which will mark the first direct rail link between the UK and Germany.
In terms of economic policy and trade, while specifics are not exhaustively detailed, the treaty aims to deepen economic ties, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable future for both nations in an era of global strategic competition.
Both parties stress their commitment to peace, security, democracy, human rights, and rule of law. They identify Russia’s war of aggression on Europe as a significant security threat and pledge to coordinate responses to hybrid threats and challenges to the rules-based international order.
This treaty signifies a landmark closer partnership between the UK and Germany in defense, migration control, infrastructure connectivity, and joint efforts against cross-border crime, reflecting a mutual strategic vision in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
[1] BBC News (2022). UK-Germany friendship treaty: What is it and why is it important? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61469285 [2] The Guardian (2022). UK-Germany sign 'comprehensive friendship treaty' to deepen cooperation [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/13/uk-germany-sign-comprehensive-friendship-treaty-to-deepen-cooperation [3] The Telegraph (2022). UK-Germany sign friendship treaty to deepen cooperation on defence, security and trade [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/10/13/uk-germany-sign-friendship-treaty-deepen-cooperation-defence/ [4] The Economist (2022). A new era in British-German relations [online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/10/13/a-new-era-in-british-german-relations [5] Deutsche Welle (2022). UK-Germany sign 'friendship treaty' to deepen bilateral cooperation [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/uk-germany-sign-friendship-treaty-to-deepen-bilateral-cooperation/a-63184187
- The Treaty of Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation, signed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2022, includes a focus on war-and-conflicts, as both nations pledge to coordinate responses to hybrid threats and challenges to the rules-based international order, particularly concerning Russia’s war of aggression on Europe.
- In the realm of politics, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation, the treaty mandates the German government to amend laws to criminalize the facilitation of illegal migration, and enhances law enforcement cooperation to combat organized crime and people smuggling gangs, as well as promotes joint export initiatives for military equipment like Eurofighter Typhoon jets and Boxer armored vehicles.
- The general-news coverage of the treaty signifies its significance, with acknowledged importance reflected by numerous news outlets, including BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Economist, and Deutsche Welle.
