German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first official visit to London on Thursday to sign a comprehensive friendship treaty with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aiming to reset post-Brexit ties between Britain and the European Union.
The visit comes shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Britain, reflecting growing alignment among Europe’s leading powers amid security concerns and strained transatlantic relations.
The new treaty, similar to Germany’s agreements with close allies such as France, includes a mutual assistance clause, which German officials say holds particular weight given Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. It builds on an earlier defence agreement that focused on joint development of long-range weapons and follows recent Franco-British plans to strengthen nuclear cooperation.
As part of the pact, the UK and Germany will also launch joint arms export campaigns for jointly produced equipment such as the Typhoon Eurofighter and the Boxer armoured vehicle - marking a shift from Germany’s past export restrictions.
Additionally, German defence company Stark will establish its first overseas plant in the UK to produce Artificial Intelligence powered unmanned systems, also known as autonomous systems.
The treaty will also target illegal migration, with Germany committing to criminalise the facilitation of migrant smuggling into Britain. This change will enable British authorities to investigate operations linked to illegal crossings, including storage and transport hubs used by smugglers.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Ru...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly ruled out any discussion of the country’s ballistic missile capabilities in the newly resumed, O...
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Te...
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Mari...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Russia is in place and security guarantees are secured, pushing back at suggestions of fresh ballots under pressure from international partners.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Maritime borders, migration and trade topped the agenda as both leaders struck a cautiously optimistic tone.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, 13 February, amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
The European Union is preparing a further expansion of its sanctions against Russia, with Central Asia emerging for the first time as a distinct point of focus.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Ukrainian capital came under a “massive” Russian missile attack early Thursday (12 February), with explosions heard across the capital according to authorities. The assault unfolded as uncertainty lingers over upcoming U.S.-brokered peace talks.
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly backed a measure on Wednesday (11 February) disapproving President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, a rare rebuke of the president and leaders of his party in the Republican-majority House.
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