Starmer's Berlin visit: Aiming for defence pact to reinvigorate UK-EU ties

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Berlin late on August 27 for crucial talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, marking his first bilateral visit since taking office.

During his two-day trip to Germany and France, Starmer aims to negotiate a landmark economic and defence agreement, striving to use this visit as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to mend and strengthen Britain's ties with Europe, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Starmer is determined to move past the previous Conservative government's strained relations with European allies and focus on enhancing Britain's economic prospects. In Berlin, he plans to discuss a new defence pact that would foster unprecedented bilateral military cooperation and boost trade and energy collaboration between the UK and Germany.

"We must turn a corner on Brexit and repair the broken relationships left by the previous government," Starmer declared. "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe."

As NATO allies and major defence spenders, Britain and Germany are exploring ways to deepen their defence cooperation, especially in light of potential changes in U.S. military support for Ukraine. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has signalled he might reassess NATO’s role and reduce aid to Ukraine if elected, which has heightened concerns about future U.S. support.

The proposed Anglo-German defence partnership could mirror the 2010 Lancaster House treaty with France, potentially involving joint military forces and shared research on equipment and nuclear missiles. The goal is to finalize the deal early next year following a joint defence declaration signed in July.

Starmer’s visit also includes meetings with prominent business leaders such as Armin Papperger, CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, and Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy, to discuss investment opportunities and job creation.

Following his discussions in Germany, Starmer will travel to Paris for the Paralympics opening ceremony and meet with various executives and President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace.