Scholz and Starmer announce new bilateral treaty between Germany and the UK
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed on a new bilateral treaty that aims to strengthen cooperation between Germany and the UK in areas such as defence, security and trade. The agreement is a step towards bringing Britain closer to the European Union and an opportunity to mend fences with Brussels after Brexit. Starmer's next stop: meeting with Macron
2' min read
2' min read
A new bilateral treaty between Germany and the UK within six months: this was the goal agreed upon by Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the British Prime Minister's official visit to Berlin today.
The agreement, which will range from defence and security cooperation to trade relations to the fight against illegal immigration, will be 'ambitious', the two leaders said, and will be part of Britain's rapprochement with the European Union.
One of the priorities of Starmer, who has always been strongly pro-European, is to mend fences with Brussels after the Brexit rift and to start a new era of cooperation and mutual trust after the tensions caused by the previous Conservative government and in particular by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
London wants "closer relations on many fronts, including the economy, including defence, including trade," said Keir Starmer, emphasising, however, that the UK does not intend to "go back on Brexit" and will remain outside the customs union and the single market.
"Growth is the main mission of my government, and we are convinced that strengthening relations with our partners here in Germany and across Europe is crucial for economic growth," explained the Labour prime minister, who was elected with a strong majority last July.
