UK and Germany sign ‘Friendship Treaty' on migration and defence
Keir Starmer
's charm offensive continues to gather pace.
The British Prime Minister and German Chancellor,
Friedrich Merz
, today signed a 'Friendship Treaty' at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the location chosen for its symbolic reference to a loving, and politically useful, royal marriage between the
United Kingdom and Germany
.
It was all smiles from the German Chancellor as he put his name to a 23-page document that diplomats have spent months negotiating.
'This is a historic day for German-British relations. It's also a great honour for me personally to be here today in this museum, which bears two names that are closely linked to British and German history,' said Merz.
After years of difficult relations since Britain left the EU, Starmer has been wooing European leaders and has promised to turn the page.
According to sources in Berlin, Merz bonded with Keir Starmer in his first week as Chancellor back in May when the two leaders, along with French President, Emmanuel Macron, took the long train journey to Kyiv and back again.
But beyond the warmer words, for Merz, like Macron, it is current threats like migration pressures and fears about Russia that are driving continental powers back towards collaboration with
Brexit Britain.
Last week Macron and Starmer agreed to trial a migrant exchange programme.
Under the 'one in, one out' agreement, a number of migrants already in the UK – reportedly as low as 50 per week – will be sent back to France. In exchange, the UK will accept an equal number of migrants directly from France.
It is hoped migrants will be put off trying to cross the Channel if they risk being sent back. Although there is some scepticism that the scheme will achieve that aim.
Downing Street says today's agreement with Germany will likewise 'help smash smuggling gangs' which fuel the migrant problem.
'This is a historic day for German-British relations.'
– Friedrich Merz
According to the UK government, Germany has committed to a change in the law by the end of this year which would allow authorities there to prosecute smugglers using warehouses in Germany to store inflatables intended for the transport of migrants across the English Channel.
That's a loophole that has exasperated authorities in other European countries, including the UK, trying to go after the gangs.
In one example, quoted in court documents during a case against a major smuggling gang, crates containing motors, around one hundred lifejackets and other equipment were delivered to the wrong address in a city in western Germany.
Local German police noted down serial numbers and then helpfully ensured that the packages were handed over to the smugglers.
Just five days later, a boat with an outboard motor matching one of those serial numbers landed in Britain, with 29 migrants on board.
The Home Office says the change in the law will give German authorities 'the tools they need to investigate and take action against warehouses and storage facilities used by migrant smugglers to conceal dangerous small boats intended for illegal crossings to the UK.
'This will bolster efforts to prosecute those involved in smuggling and support the dismantling of the criminal networks driving unacceptable and unlawful journeys through Europe.'
The decision to work together on a problem like migration is a strategic choice and one that is threaded through the 'Friendship Treaty'. Even that name – Friendship Treaty – has been carefully chosen to evoke new relations.
'This is a partnership with a purpose,' said Prime Minister Starmer.
'I think it illustrates what our work on the international stage is all about, building the foundations of stability across our continent to make us safer, boost our economy and deliver change across for our people. It's about delivering results, and that's what we're working towards. 'In a dangerous world, we do this together', he added.
'In a dangerous world, we do this together.'
– Keir Starmer
When it comes to defence, the new treaty commits Britain and Germany to mutual assistance if one or the other is attacked, a protection both already enjoy as Nato members, so long as the US lives up to that commitment.
But with Donald Trump in the White House, some aren't so sure.
'We have zero doubt that we stay together, we stick together, in the Nato framework,' Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, told Channel 4 News.
'But in Europe it's necessary, and it's an important step for us, that Britain shows again that they are back in Europe.'
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