Signed accord establishing German-British friendship
In a significant move, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the comprehensive Friendship Treaty between Germany and the UK in 2025. This treaty marks a significant step forward in UK-German relations, particularly in the context of post-Brexit Europe and ongoing geopolitical challenges.
The treaty aims to deepen cooperation in various areas, including defense, economic policy, combating irregular migration, and cross-border crime. A mutual defense commitment is included, stating that there is no strategic threat to one country that would not be a threat to the other, with a pledge to assist each other, including by military means, in case of an armed attack. The agreement also aims to deepen defense cooperation, particularly on NATO’s eastern flank.
In terms of economic policy, the treaty enhances business and commercial links between the two countries, with various investments anticipated, including significant commitments from companies like Cognigy, osapiens, and Siemens Energy, creating hundreds of new jobs in the UK. The treaty also includes plans to boost UK defense exports, such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon jets, through joint export campaigns.
Germany has pledged to modify its law to criminalize the facilitation of illegal migration by the end of 2025, targeting storage facilities used by smugglers. The Labour government of Prime Minister Starmer is facing intense domestic pressure to reduce the recent increase in migrant crossings of the English Channel.
The treaty also includes concrete travel facilitation measures such as visa-free travel for school trips and a direct rail link between the two countries. From late August, the first British travelers will be able to use automated border control points (E-Gates). The first direct trains from Germany to the UK, passing under the English Channel, are expected to run within a decade.
Within a decade, a European weapon system capable of hitting targets 2,000 kilometers away will be developed, involving both Germany and the UK. The Europeans aim to achieve a balance of deterrence and defense capability with these weapons, as Russia currently has intermediate-range missiles.
An expert group will seek solutions for mobility issues created by Brexit, particularly in education, science, culture, and political organizations. Over 20,000 people have already crossed the English Channel this year, making 2025 on track to become a record year for migrant crossings.
The export of jointly produced defense goods will be facilitated, with the UK hoping for additional exports worth billions. The treaty's preamble states that both countries aim to offer their citizens a future marked by prosperity, security, and sustainability. The treaty is indeed a testament to the strong and enduring relationship between Germany and the UK, ushering in a new era of cooperation and mutual understanding.
- The policy-and-legislation focus of the Friendship Treaty between Germany and the UK in 2025 includes Germany's pledge to modify its law to criminalize the facilitation of illegal migration by the end of 2025, reflecting a shared commitment to address general-news issues like cross-border crime and irregular migration.
- Politics and economics intertwine in the comprehensive Friendship Treaty, with the agreement aiming to deepen defense cooperation, particularly on NATO’s eastern flank, while also enhancing business and commercial links, with various investments anticipated from companies like Cognigy, osapiens, and Siemens Energy, contributing to the general-news sector by creating hundreds of new jobs in the UK and boosting UK defense exports.
