Latest news with #UK-Germany
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Germany's Merz and UK's Starmer sign 'first of its kind' defense and migration treaty
LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed on Thursday a treaty targeting smuggling gangs, boosting defence exports, and reinforcing UK-Germany trade ties. 'This is a historic day for German-British relations,' said Merz, making his first official visit to the UK since taking office in May. 'We want to work together more closely, particularly after the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. It is overdue for us to conclude such a treaty with each other.' Starmer described the treaty as "the first of its kind ever" and called it a 'statement of intent, a statement of our ambition to work ever more closely together." The "Kensington Treaty" — the first since the second world war — includes a commitment from Berlin to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence. A statement from Downing Street said the law change — expected to be passed by the end of the year — will give German authorities more powers to investigate and take action against warehouses and storage facilities used by smugglers to conceal small boats for Channel crossings. 'Chancellor Merz's commitment to make necessary changes to German law to disrupt the supply lines of the dangerous vessels which carry illegal migrants across the Channel is hugely welcome,' Starmer said. The treaty builds on a defence pact the UK and Germany, two of the biggest European supporters of Ukraine, signed last year, pledging closer co-operation against a growing threat from Russia. Starmer has worked to improve strained relations with the UK's European neighbours after its departure from the EU in 2020. While he has ruled out re-joining the 27-member bloc's single market, he has sought to increase defence cooperation and reduce trade barriers through new arrangements. During a working lunch at 10 Downing Street, the two leaders also discussed ways to boost European support for Ukraine, including the announcement that German defence startup Stark, which makes drones for Ukraine, will open a factory in the UK. A document released by the German government states that the countries are committed to greater cooperation on joint military and training exercises, as well as working together to combat cyber threats and information warfare. The leaders also unveiled a joint export campaign to co-produce equipment such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon jets, and to develop a deep precision strike missile over the next decade. Other parts of the treaty aim to deepen economic cooperation by promoting employment and the creation of high-quality jobs, plans for a new cross-border rail link and visa-free travel measures for certain groups. Of the limited arrangement that will make it easier for schoolchildren to go on exchange trips, Merz said he was glad the agreement would allow "the young generation in particular has an opportunity to get to know both countries better." At the signing of the agreement, Merz said he was "surprised" to learn the deal was the first UK-Germany treaty since World War II. "We had you in the European Union and we thought that was enough, but we are now learning that it's not enough so we have to do more on that," he said. For Merz, the visit offers an opportunity for the Chancellor to show leadership on the international stage whilst at home he navigates a bitter row with his party's coalition partners, the Social Democrats, over the appointment of the country's constitutional judges. — Euronews
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Starmer praises German plans to ‘strengthen' laws to tackle small boats
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Prime Minister said that the proposals that will mean small boats can be seized are a 'clear sign that we mean business'. Berlin agreed last year to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence in a move that will give law enforcement more powers to investigate the supply and storage of small boats to be used for Channel crossings. In a meeting in Downing Street today, Sir Keir thanked Mr Merz for his commitment to introduce legislation 'by the end of the year' that would outlaw facilitating illegal migration to the UK, Number 10 said. Speaking on a visit to an Airbus plant in Stevenage, Sir Keir welcomed German commitments to tackling people-smuggling gangs. He said: 'I want to thank Friedrich for his leadership on this, pledging decisive action to strengthen German law this year so that small boats being stored or transported in Germany can be seized, disrupting the route to the UK. The Prime Minister and Germany's chancellor met in Downing Street (Leon Neal/PA) 'It's a clear sign that we mean business. We are coming after the criminal gangs in every way that we can.' Sir Keir said he has been 'very concerned' about 'engines' and 'component parts of the boats that are being used are travelling through and being stored in Germany' but post-Brexit arrangements meant they could not be seized. Mr Merz also said that he 'deplore(s)' the UK's decision to leave the EU, as he and the Prime Minister visited the factory. He added that 'it is together that we respond to the major challenges of our time'. Earlier on Thursday the pair signed a treaty that pledged to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security', and could also free up school exchange visits and passport e-gates. Sir Keir Starmer (front right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (front left), watched by Germany's minister for foreign affairs Johann Wadephul and Foreign Secretary David Lammy as they sign the new UK-Germany treaty (Frank AugsteinPA) The deal – to be known as the Kensington Treaty – was signed at the V&A museum in London, and was also signed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. Sir Keir described it as 'evidence of the closeness of our relationship as it stands today' as well as a 'statement of intent, a statement of our ambition to work ever more closely together'. The document details the UK and German agreement to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security and ensure effective deterrence against potential aggressors' through their defence forces, as well as looking to improving defence co-operation in the future. It also reaffirms support for Nato and Nato allies. As part of Thursday's deal, Berlin has agreed to allow some arriving UK passengers to use passport e-gates. The move will initially be available for frequent travellers and is due to be in place by the end of August. The treaty also includes the UK and Germany agreeing to establish a taskforce aimed at paving the way for direct train services between the countries. It is hoped services could begin within the next decade. It also says that the two nations 'value bilateral school and youth exchanges' and will 'facilitate' them. The visit from Mr Merz comes a week after French President Emmanuel Macron was hosted on a state visit, and the German chancellor said that the three nations are 'converging' in their stance on policy matters including migration and security. 'This dynamic is never exclusive in nature,' he added. 'We're always bearing in mind Poland, Italy and the other also smaller European partners in whatever decision we take.' He later said that the so-called E3 countries want to 'drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe'. The visit is Mr Merz's first official trip to the UK since he became chancellor in May this year.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Starmer praises German plans to ‘strengthen' laws to tackle small boats
Berlin agreed last year to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence in a move that will give law enforcement more powers to investigate the supply and storage of small boats to be used for Channel crossings. In a meeting in Downing Street today, Sir Keir thanked Mr Merz for his commitment to introduce legislation 'by the end of the year' that would outlaw facilitating illegal migration to the UK, Number 10 said. Speaking on a visit to an Airbus plant in Stevenage, Sir Keir welcomed German commitments to tackling people-smuggling gangs. He said: 'I want to thank Friedrich for his leadership on this, pledging decisive action to strengthen German law this year so that small boats being stored or transported in Germany can be seized, disrupting the route to the UK. The Prime Minister and Germany's chancellor met in Downing Street (Leon Neal/PA) 'It's a clear sign that we mean business. We are coming after the criminal gangs in every way that we can.' Sir Keir said he has been 'very concerned' about 'engines' and 'component parts of the boats that are being used are travelling through and being stored in Germany' but post-Brexit arrangements meant they could not be seized. Mr Merz also said that he 'deplore(s)' the UK's decision to leave the EU, as he and the Prime Minister visited the factory. He added that 'it is together that we respond to the major challenges of our time'. Earlier on Thursday the pair signed a treaty that pledged to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security', and could also free up school exchange visits and passport e-gates. Sir Keir Starmer (front right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (front left), watched by Germany's minister for foreign affairs Johann Wadephul and Foreign Secretary David Lammy as they sign the new UK-Germany treaty (Frank AugsteinPA) The deal – to be known as the Kensington Treaty – was signed at the V&A museum in London, and was also signed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. Sir Keir described it as 'evidence of the closeness of our relationship as it stands today' as well as a 'statement of intent, a statement of our ambition to work ever more closely together'. The document details the UK and German agreement to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security and ensure effective deterrence against potential aggressors' through their defence forces, as well as looking to improving defence co-operation in the future. It also reaffirms support for Nato and Nato allies. As part of Thursday's deal, Berlin has agreed to allow some arriving UK passengers to use passport e-gates. The move will initially be available for frequent travellers and is due to be in place by the end of August. The treaty also includes the UK and Germany agreeing to establish a taskforce aimed at paving the way for direct train services between the countries. It is hoped services could begin within the next decade. It also says that the two nations 'value bilateral school and youth exchanges' and will 'facilitate' them. The visit from Mr Merz comes a week after French President Emmanuel Macron was hosted on a state visit, and the German chancellor said that the three nations are 'converging' in their stance on policy matters including migration and security. 'This dynamic is never exclusive in nature,' he added. 'We're always bearing in mind Poland, Italy and the other also smaller European partners in whatever decision we take.' He later said that the so-called E3 countries want to 'drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe'. The visit is Mr Merz's first official trip to the UK since he became chancellor in May this year.
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Starmer praises German plans to ‘strengthen' laws to tackle small boats
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Prime Minister said that the proposals that will mean small boats can be seized are a 'clear sign that we mean business'. Berlin agreed last year to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence in a move that will give law enforcement more powers to investigate the supply and storage of small boats to be used for Channel crossings. In a meeting in Downing Street today, Sir Keir thanked Mr Merz for his commitment to introduce legislation 'by the end of the year' that would outlaw facilitating illegal migration to the UK, Number 10 said. Speaking on a visit to an Airbus plant in Stevenage, Sir Keir welcomed German commitments to tackling people-smuggling gangs. He said: 'I want to thank Friedrich for his leadership on this, pledging decisive action to strengthen German law this year so that small boats being stored or transported in Germany can be seized, disrupting the route to the UK. The Prime Minister and Germany's chancellor met in Downing Street (Leon Neal/PA) 'It's a clear sign that we mean business. We are coming after the criminal gangs in every way that we can.' Sir Keir said he has been 'very concerned' about 'engines' and 'component parts of the boats that are being used are travelling through and being stored in Germany' but post-Brexit arrangements meant they could not be seized. Mr Merz also said that he 'deplore(s)' the UK's decision to leave the EU, as he and the Prime Minister visited the factory. He added that 'it is together that we respond to the major challenges of our time'. Earlier on Thursday the pair signed a treaty that pledged to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security', and could also free up school exchange visits and passport e-gates. Sir Keir Starmer (front right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (front left), watched by Germany's minister for foreign affairs Johann Wadephul and Foreign Secretary David Lammy as they sign the new UK-Germany treaty (Frank AugsteinPA) The deal – to be known as the Kensington Treaty – was signed at the V&A museum in London, and was also signed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. Sir Keir described it as 'evidence of the closeness of our relationship as it stands today' as well as a 'statement of intent, a statement of our ambition to work ever more closely together'. The document details the UK and German agreement to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security and ensure effective deterrence against potential aggressors' through their defence forces, as well as looking to improving defence co-operation in the future. It also reaffirms support for Nato and Nato allies. As part of Thursday's deal, Berlin has agreed to allow some arriving UK passengers to use passport e-gates. The move will initially be available for frequent travellers and is due to be in place by the end of August. The treaty also includes the UK and Germany agreeing to establish a taskforce aimed at paving the way for direct train services between the countries. It is hoped services could begin within the next decade. It also says that the two nations 'value bilateral school and youth exchanges' and will 'facilitate' them. The visit from Mr Merz comes a week after French President Emmanuel Macron was hosted on a state visit, and the German chancellor said that the three nations are 'converging' in their stance on policy matters including migration and security. 'This dynamic is never exclusive in nature,' he added. 'We're always bearing in mind Poland, Italy and the other also smaller European partners in whatever decision we take.' He later said that the so-called E3 countries want to 'drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe'. The visit is Mr Merz's first official trip to the UK since he became chancellor in May this year.
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Starmer praises German plans to ‘strengthen' laws to tackle small boats
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Prime Minister said that the proposals that will mean small boats can be seized are a 'clear sign that we mean business'. Berlin agreed last year to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence in a move that will give law enforcement more powers to investigate the supply and storage of small boats to be used for Channel crossings. In a meeting in Downing Street today, Sir Keir thanked Mr Merz for his commitment to introduce legislation 'by the end of the year' that would outlaw facilitating illegal migration to the UK, Number 10 said. Speaking on a visit to an Airbus plant in Stevenage, Sir Keir welcomed German commitments to tackling people-smuggling gangs. He said: 'I want to thank Friedrich for his leadership on this, pledging decisive action to strengthen German law this year so that small boats being stored or transported in Germany can be seized, disrupting the route to the UK. The Prime Minister and Germany's chancellor met in Downing Street (Leon Neal/PA) 'It's a clear sign that we mean business. We are coming after the criminal gangs in every way that we can.' Sir Keir said he has been 'very concerned' about 'engines' and 'component parts of the boats that are being used are travelling through and being stored in Germany' but post-Brexit arrangements meant they could not be seized. Mr Merz also said that he 'deplore(s)' the UK's decision to leave the EU, as he and the Prime Minister visited the factory. He added that 'it is together that we respond to the major challenges of our time'. Earlier on Thursday the pair signed a treaty that pledged to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security', and could also free up school exchange visits and passport e-gates. Sir Keir Starmer (front right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (front left), watched by Germany's minister for foreign affairs Johann Wadephul and Foreign Secretary David Lammy as they sign the new UK-Germany treaty (Frank AugsteinPA) The deal – to be known as the Kensington Treaty – was signed at the V&A museum in London, and was also signed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. Sir Keir described it as 'evidence of the closeness of our relationship as it stands today' as well as a 'statement of intent, a statement of our ambition to work ever more closely together'. The document details the UK and German agreement to 'reinforce Euro-Atlantic security and ensure effective deterrence against potential aggressors' through their defence forces, as well as looking to improving defence co-operation in the future. It also reaffirms support for Nato and Nato allies. As part of Thursday's deal, Berlin has agreed to allow some arriving UK passengers to use passport e-gates. The move will initially be available for frequent travellers and is due to be in place by the end of August. The treaty also includes the UK and Germany agreeing to establish a taskforce aimed at paving the way for direct train services between the countries. It is hoped services could begin within the next decade. It also says that the two nations 'value bilateral school and youth exchanges' and will 'facilitate' them. The visit from Mr Merz comes a week after French President Emmanuel Macron was hosted on a state visit, and the German chancellor said that the three nations are 'converging' in their stance on policy matters including migration and security. 'This dynamic is never exclusive in nature,' he added. 'We're always bearing in mind Poland, Italy and the other also smaller European partners in whatever decision we take.' He later said that the so-called E3 countries want to 'drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe'. The visit is Mr Merz's first official trip to the UK since he became chancellor in May this year.
