Press conference with Federal Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Starmer in London
Germany and Great Britain are opening a new chapter in their relationship with the friendship treaty. Federal Chancellor Merz said this after signing the “Kensington Treaty” during his inaugural visit to London.
- Transcript of press conference
- Thursday, 17 July 2025
The “Kensington Treaty” is signed. Following the meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz described this event as “historic”.
Photo: Federal Government/Steffen Kugler
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed the new German-British friendship treaty during his inaugural visit to London. At the joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following a visit to the company Airbus Defence and Space, the Federal Chancellor said that the “Kensington Treaty” provided joint responses to the challenges of a new era.
Germany and Great Britain want to secure the freedom, security and prosperity of their citizens with the friendship treaty. The treaty is also intended to enable the younger generation, in particular, from both countries to get to know each other better.
The German-British friendship treaty is called the “Kensington Treaty” because it was signed in the Victoria & Albert Museum in the London borough of Kensington. The location for the signing ceremony was chosen deliberately. It commemorates the union of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and her German-born husband, Prince Albert (1819–1861).
The most important points in brief:
- Reaction to a changing world: Great Britain has left the European Union, Russia is calling into question Europe’s security architecture, and transatlantic relations are undergoing profound changes. The “Kensington Treaty” provides a joint response from Germany and Great Britain to the “challenges of a new era”, according to Federal Chancellor Merz.
- Focus on security: Federal Chancellor Merz described the issue of security as the central theme of the treaty and emphasised: “Together, we will do our part to protect and defend the Euro-Atlantic area.” Ultimately, this means the mutual assurance of military assistance in the event of an armed attack. “We are doing this in line with our NATO commitments”, said the Federal Chancellor.
- Action plan with flagship projects: “The new treaty is intended to create change in the real world”, said Federal Chancellor Merz. It would, he reported, therefore be flanked by an action plan and, in addition to joint security policy projects, would involve a shared economic policy for more growth. “We are doing this for our two countries, we are doing this for you, and for the young generation, which we want to give good prospects in a Europe that must continue to grow together”, said the Federal Chancellor.
Read the transcript of the press conference here (in German only):