Historic friendship treaty: Germany and Great Britain united!

Historic friendship treaty: Germany and Great Britain united!

A historic day for German-British relations: On July 17, 2025, a friendship treaty between Germany and Great Britain was signed in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent a clear signal for a deeper partnership in times of geopolitical uncertainty and after the effects of Brexit. The 27 pages of the agreement state that both countries want to significantly intensify their cooperation in the areas of foreign and domestic policy, economics, technology and migration policy. The treaty represents a clear response to the challenges posed by global changes and shows that Germany and Britain want to join forces to promote prosperity and security tagesschau.de.

Merz described this day as “historic” and underlined the need for close cooperation against the backdrop of the new geopolitical reality. Starmer, on the other hand, praised the agreement as the “first of its kind” and emphasized the strategic proximity between the two countries. The partnership will continue to be strengthened in all areas of life, as can be seen from the decisions of the Federal Cabinet, which previously approved the contract federalgovernment.de reported. There is also agreement in Berlin and London that the current global uncertainties, including with regard to NATO allies, require strong military cooperation.

Concrete measures and projects

The contract includes not only declarations of intent, but also specific projects. A total of 17 cooperation projects are listed, including the reconstruction of Ukraine and the fight against irregular migration. Another focus is on the joint development of energy resources in the North Sea and the promotion of scientific and cultural cooperation. Both countries also intend to allow student trips between Germany and Great Britain without visas, which would make exchange between younger generations much easier ZDF additionally communicated.

An interesting aspect of the contract is the promise to jointly develop and possibly export military equipment, for example to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. This military cooperation is considered imperative to meet the challenges in Europe and beyond.

The path after Brexit

Five years have passed since Brexit and Britain is increasingly looking for bilateral agreements to strengthen relations with EU countries. France is often seen as an important partner, particularly in defense matters. Nevertheless, the connection to Germany remains of central importance, as the last joint declarations and agreements in 2024 show. Merz and Starmer reiterated that a deeper commitment to mutual defense is anchored in the treaty and that both countries will support each other in the event of an armed attack.

Overall, the signing and the associated measures usher in a new era of cooperation that is important not only for politics but also for citizens in both countries. The Treaty of Friendship is more than just a document; it is a commitment to a strong and stable future in Europe and beyond.