Statement by the Federal Chancellor on the German-British friendship treaty
Germany and Great Britain have signed a friendship treaty. Federal Chancellor Merz said: "It is long overdue that we conclude an agreement like this with each other. It is a good basis for the coming years and decades."
1 min reading time
- Transcript of press conference
- Thursday, 17 July 2025
A historic day for the German-British friendship: The heads of government and foreign ministers have signed a friendship treaty.
Photo: Federal Government/Steffen Kugler
With the new German-British friendship treaty, both countries are deepening their cooperation – from defence and foreign policy to business and education. Alongside Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy signed the agreement at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Read the full statement here (German only)