Federal Chancellor receives British Prime Minister Starmer
Germany and the UK were looking to “place their relations on a completely new footing” by concluding a treaty on bilateral cooperation, said Federal Chancellor Scholz at a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister Starmer in Berlin.
2 min reading time
- Transcript of press conference
- Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Federal Chancellor Scholz said he was pleased that the British Prime Minister had announced his intention to seek “a fresh start” in relations with the European Union.
Photo: Federal Government/Steffen Kugler
Transcript of the press conference in German only
Germany and the United Kingdom enjoyed a long and trusting partnership based on shared values and reliable friendship, said Scholz after talks between the two heads of government. The cooperation would continue to be fostered “for the good of our peoples, for the good of Europe and for security in the transatlantic region”.
Making his inaugural visit to the Chancellery, the new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was received by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz with military honours this morning.
The most important points from the Federal Chancellor’s press conference:
- Treaty on bilateral co-operation: In the months to come, Germany and the UK will work towards concluding a bilateral cooperation agreement that covers all aspects of relations between the two countries. “This is the first time a treaty of this nature has ever been concluded between Germany and the United Kingdom,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz.
- Upcoming government consultations: The plan is to sign the agreement in connection with German-British government consultations scheduled to take place at the beginning of next year.
- Strengthen NATO, help Ukraine: Germany and the UK will seek to work together to strengthen the European pillar of NATO and will collaborate more closely on security policy to this end. Scholz reaffirmed the two countries’ continued support for Ukraine. “We will continue to provide financial, economic, political and military support – for as long as necessary,” said the Federal Chancellor. The Federal Government’s draft budget provides for four billion euros in bilateral aid to go to Ukraine in 2025.
- Strengthen EU-UK relations: Even after Brexit, the UK continued to be an “indispensable part” of the solution to Europe’s major issues, stressed the Federal Chancellor, noting that the Withdrawal Agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Comprehensive Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Windsor Framework provided a reliable legal framework that was now to be fully implemented.