Kensington Treaty: Germany and Great Britain celebrate a new beginning!

Kensington Treaty: Germany and Great Britain celebrate a new beginning!

The political relationship between Britain and Germany took a new turn with the signing of the Kensington Treaty on Thursday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed the agreement at the Victoria & Albert Museum in Kensington. This is the first friendship treaty since the Second World War, which provides for deeper cooperation in the areas of security, defense, migration, economics and “open societies”. Merz emphasized the importance of youth mobility and facilitating student trips, which should be implemented through new collection lists that make carrying a passport unnecessary.

With this step, Starmer has initiated a rapprochement with the EU and large member states. Brexit, which was formally implemented on January 31, 2020, is now seen as the kingdom's worst strategic mistake since the Second World War. The negative consequences of this decision, such as political instability and the loss of close economic ties with the EU, are now being gradually mitigated. Merz and Starmer agree that close cooperation is necessary on climate-related, energy policy and defense policy issues.

Strengthening European cooperation

Both countries have agreed on joint military development of long-range weapons and mutual assistance in the event of an attack. In addition, a direct train connection between Germany and Great Britain is to be realized. According to a survey by the British Foreign Policy Group think tank, 62 percent of Brits want closer cooperation with the EU, a sign that the population is increasingly putting Brexit behind them.

There are also 17 projects attached to the contract that are intended to act as a “practical work plan.” British society, as many observers have noted, has overcome Brexit. Berlin has pragmatically focused on cooperation with Great Britain, while Brussels and Berlin are working together to bind the kingdom closely to the EU - especially with regard to authoritarian regimes and the geopolitical situation in Europe.

A look into the future

Merz and Starmer talk about many current topics, including the situation in Gaza and the situation in Ukraine, which both see as important issues in their cooperation. In the economic area, Brexit is still a hot topic. Britain has lost access to the EU single market and customs union, which has affected the kingdom's economy: the think tank CER estimates that the British economy is around 5% smaller than it would have been without Brexit. Nevertheless, Great Britain remains a significant player in the European security architecture and receives support through cooperation with EU states.

The Kensington Treaty will shape the relationship between Germany and Great Britain for decades. It shows that, despite the recent conflicts, both countries are ready to explore new ways of working together in order to master the challenges of the future together. With a good knack for creating closer ties, Starmer and Merz are sending a strong signal for a united Europe.