16-07-2025
Merz, Starmer to discuss defence, migration in London
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, with the visit set to focus on defence and illegal migration.
Mr Merz and Mr Starmer are expected to sign a friendship and cooperation treaty, with both leaders committing to boost joint defence exports.
Alongside that agreement, Germany will also introduce a law later this year to make it illegal to facilitate illegal migration to the UK.
According to Downing Street, the law will give German authorities the powers to investigate warehouses and storage facilities used by migrant smugglers.
During his first year in office, Mr Starmer has embarked on a charm offensive with European leaders.
It has seen him host multiple summits including one with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen last May and an Ireland-UK Summit last March, where both countries agreed on a programme of cooperation.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron was in London for a state visit and a France-UK summit which also focused on efforts to tackle illegal migration.
Mr Merz was elected Chancellor last May and this will be his first visit to the UK as German leader.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Starmer said: "The progress we are making today is further proof that by investing in our relationships with likeminded friends and partners, we can deliver real change for working people."
In the area of defence, both leaders will make a new commitment to deliver new "deep precision strike" capability in the next decade, with a range over 2,000km.
