UK and Germany want to take security relationship ‘to new heights’ – Euractiv

Visiting British Defence Secretary John Healey and German Foreign Minister Boris Pistorius signed a declaration on Wednesday (July 24) aimed at establishing a comprehensive new security partnership as the new British government seeks closer ties with EU countries.

Healey said in Berlin: “The UK’s important relationships with many of its European allies have been strained for some time (…) So with Keir Starmer as prime minister and a new electoral mandate, the new government is determined to reshape the relationship with Europe, not just by signing some documents, but by the way we act together.”

Germany and the United Kingdom are the cornerstones of Europe’s defense architecture because they biggest Military spending in Europe spend In absolute terms, most of it is military support for Ukraine.

“We have to work even more closely together and take our relationship to the next level,” Pistorius told reporters.

The joint statement on cooperation between the two defence ministries was signed during Healy’s first official visit to Germany.

Pistorius said the move was aimed at consolidating closer cooperation between defense industries and in weapons development, production and procurement.

He added that the two countries also want to improve coordination on support for Ukraine and equipment interoperability.

Healy also announced that the UK would join ELSA, a cross-border project to develop long-range cruise missiles Initiate Last week, Germany, France, Italy and Poland also took action.

Pistorius praised Healey’s efforts and said informal negotiations on signing the manifesto during his first visit began before the British Labour Party came to power earlier this month.

New security treaty in the works

Ultimately, London intended to conclude a comprehensive security treaty with Germany, modeled on the Franco-British Treaty of Lancaster House.

Before taking office, Healey promised to sign the agreement within six months of Labour winning power.

The plans are part of a broader effort by the new British government to improve relations with EU countries, which have been strained since the Conservative-led Brexit.

(Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic)

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