Germany and UK to deepen cooperation with new friendship treaty

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) plans to sign a friendship treaty with Great Britain during his visit to London on Thursday. The German Cabinet approved the treaty on Wednesday. With the cabinet's approval, the document can now be signed on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin said. The negotiations were led by the two foreign ministries.

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Merz will travel to the United Kingdom on Thursday for his inaugural visit, where he will be received in London by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The two will then sign the friendship treaty. Merz will be accompanied by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU).

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The friendship treaty will contain decisions that affect the "entire spectrum of political cooperation," said deputy government spokesperson Steffen Meyer. The focus will be on cooperation in foreign and security policy. But it will also address "things that citizens will feel in their everyday lives," such as facilitating student exchanges.

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"We want deeper cooperation with the United Kingdom – in security and defense, trade and the economy," Merz explained on the online service X. "It is good that the British are moving closer to Europe again." He said he was looking forward to "deepening our friendship with Keir Starmer tomorrow in London."

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