Uk PM announces plans for new UK-Germany treaty as part of ‘wider reset’ with Europe

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that a new UK-Germany treaty will be part of a “wider reset” with Europe, and he hopes it can be agreed upon by early next year. The announcement came during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after their meeting in Berlin this morning.

Starmer and Scholz discussed a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration and how to build on existing defense agreements between the two countries. Starmer emphasized that Britain has no plans to negotiate a youth mobility scheme with the EU to secure better Brexit terms and stated he would not take the UK back into the bloc’s single market.

Following the meeting, Starmer and Scholz shook hands at the end of a joint press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin. Starmer has concluded his visit to Germany and is now heading to Paris, where he’ll meet France’s Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

In a joint declaration released after the meeting, the UK and Germany expressed their hope to sign a new bilateral treaty “by early next year” to deepen and enhance relations. Starmer clarified that the treaty will not involve “reversing Brexit” or re-entering the single market, but will aim to “deliver for working people,” impacting areas such as trade, business, and technology. The treaty will include a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration but will not feature a youth mobility scheme.

Starmer also expressed sympathy for the German people following the attack in Solingen on Friday, in which three people were killed. Both Starmer and Scholz reaffirmed their ongoing support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes” and stressed the need for de-escalation across the Middle East.

This is the fifth time Keir Starmer has met with the German Chancellor since becoming prime minister last month. His attempt to reset relations with European neighbors has been a central theme of his first few weeks in office, though it remains unclear what concessions the UK might need to make to achieve the closer collaboration Starmer seeks.

The treaty announced with Germany is purely bilateral, and while it is feasible to deepen trade ties, the fact that Germany is in the EU cannot be ignored. Starmer reiterated that his government has no plans to agree to an EU proposal that could allow young people to live in the UK for up to four years, and vice versa.

During the press conference, Starmer emphasized that the new treaty with Germany is part of a broader effort to reset relations with the EU, but this will not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or customs union. He stated that while the UK wants a closer relationship with the EU, it will be within the frameworks established post-Brexit.

The UK and Germany have published a joint declaration following this morning’s meeting, which outlines their intention to “take bilateral relations to the next level.” The declaration specifies that any new cooperation must be “in full accordance with Germany’s membership of the EU, and the UK’s relationship with the EU.”

The new defense agreement, already in progress, will be a “key pillar” of the treaty, alongside joint priorities in economic growth, law enforcement cooperation, youth and education, energy security, environmental policy, transport and infrastructure, technology, research, and innovation.

When asked about the possibility of student exchanges between the UK and Germany, Starmer focused on discussions around illegal migration, emphasizing the importance of the bilateral treaty in this area.

Starmer has insisted that the planned treaty with Germany has “nothing to do with youth mobility,” clarifying that it will focus on trade, defense, the economy, illegal migration, and other areas of mutual interest.

He reiterated that his government will not seek to return to the EU’s single market or customs union, nor will it reintroduce free movement or other elements of EU membership. Starmer expressed confidence that a close relationship with the EU is possible within these boundaries.

Starmer was also questioned about his broader strategy for achieving closer relations with the EU and what concessions the UK might need to make. He clarified that while the UK seeks a reset with Europe, this does not mean reversing Brexit, re-entering the single market, or joining the customs union.

The UK Prime Minister reiterated that a reset in relations with the EU would not involve reversing Brexit but would focus on building closer ties in several key areas, including the economy, defense, and cultural exchange.

In addressing global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and called for de-escalation in the Middle East.

Starmer highlighted the importance of cooperation with European partners on shared challenges such as illegal migration, stressing that the UK cannot tackle smuggling gangs without international collaboration.

He concluded by describing the new UK-Germany treaty as a “once-in-a-generation chance to deliver for working people,” aiming to strengthen ties in science, technology, trade, and business to boost economic growth.

Credit: BBC