British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday (Aug 28) met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to ‘reset ties’ and discuss a new cooperation treaty that would bring the two nations closer on clean energy, technology, defence, and irregular migration.
The Downing Street described the effort as a “once in a generation opportunity” to “turn a corner on Brexit.” It stated that the full agreement was yet to be finalised.
A joint declaration released after the meeting said the two leaders want to take German-UK ties to “the next level.” It said that the deal, which could be finalised “by early next year”, will need to be “in full accordance with Germany’s membership of the EU, and the UK’s relationship with the EU”.
Watch: UK PM Keir Starmer in Germany, visit to focus on defence and trade talks
The joint declaration stated that a new defence agreement will also be struck, which acts as a “key pillar” of the overall treaty.
“The focus was on the bilateral treaty that we want to develop and the most substantive part of that in the end turned out to be the illegal migration joint work that we can do together, which is obviously important to me,” said PM Keir Starmer.
However, the PM warned that the treaty has ‘nothing to do with’ youth mobility. “The treaty is a bilateral treaty. That’s got nothing to do with youth mobility or anything like that. That’s to do with trade, defence, the economy, illegal migration, etc,” said Starmer while talking to media.
The UK leader also clarified that the deal will not end up reversing Brexit.
“That does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union. But it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges,” he stated.
The duo also discussed Ukraine in their talks, with Starmer saying they were committed to stand with Ukraine. He also mentioned Gaza war and talked about Israel’s right to defend itself, the release of hostages and a permanent ceasefire.
(With inputs from agencies)