Germany and the United Kingdom maintain a close strategic partnership, which is to be further strengthened in economic, security, and social terms despite Brexit. The Federal Cabinet has therefore now approved the "Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Friendship and Bilateral Co-operation". 

Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation

With this friendship treaty, Germany and Great Britain are deepening their good and close relations in many areas. Among other things, the treaty focuses on foreign, security and defence policy cooperation, economic growth, but also on strengthening contacts between the citizens of both countries. 

Joint signing planned

The Federal Chancellor will travel to London on 17 July. The signing of the bilateral cooperation agreement in German and English by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planned as part of this trip. 

The relationship between Germany and the United Kingdom is one of the most important bilateral partnerships in Europe. Politically, both countries work closely together in areas such as defence, climate policy and digitalisation – most recently confirmed by joint declarations and agreements in 2024. Cultural and civil society exchange has also been strengthened through programmes, such as the “UK-German Connection” and the “Cultural Commission”.