During his first state visit to the UK in 27 years, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on Britain to move past Brexit and focus on rebuilding its relationship with Europe.
Addressing British lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday, Steinmeier urged Britain to look to the future with a spirit of pragmatism, using an unexpected yet fitting reference to British rock band Oasis to make his point: "Don't look back in anger."
The visit, which began on Wednesday, marked a significant moment in UK-Germany relations, as it was the first state visit by a German president in nearly three decades. The occasion was welcomed with a royal reception at Windsor Castle, where King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, with a carriage procession and a state banquet.
Steinmeier acknowledged the strain Brexit had placed on UK-EU relations, noting the sense of uncertainty that followed the UK’s departure from the European Union in 2020. “Brexit has changed our relations,” Steinmeier said. “There was a feeling of uncertainty; however, we decided not to stay stuck in these feelings.”
The German president emphasized the need for a "new footing" in UK-EU relations, focusing on pragmatism rather than lingering on past divisions. He stressed that rebuilding stronger ties would benefit both sides, easing trade, cutting consumer costs, and fostering closer cooperation between European nations and the UK.
His message was clear: both the UK and the EU should focus on future collaboration rather than dwell on the past. Using Oasis’s famous lyrics, he told lawmakers, "Don’t look back in anger … Keep calm and carry on. Look ahead pragmatically and move on." Steinmeier’s words underscored his belief that a forward-looking approach would be vital in healing the divisions caused by Brexit.
The visit also included moments of reflection and respect for the UK’s royal history. On Thursday, Steinmeier and his wife visited Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb to lay flowers in tribute. They also viewed the State Sleigh, a piece of royal history designed by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband.
Steinmeier's visit highlights the ongoing importance of UK-EU relations and the desire to forge a path of cooperation and mutual benefit in the post-Brexit era. His call for a pragmatic approach echoes the sentiment of many European leaders who believe that, despite the challenges of Brexit, collaboration between Britain and the EU remains crucial for the future of both parties.
Polish fighter jets on Thursday intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near Poland’s airspace over the Baltic Sea and escorted it away...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has welcomed remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicating progress in the normalisation proces...
Algeria's parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation of the North African state a crime, and demanding an apology and rep...
Kazakhstan has made a notable advance in the global Government AI Readiness Index, moving up to 60th place out of 195 countries in the 2025....
On Thursday 25 December, a solemn commemoration ceremony took place in Baku to mark the first anniversary of the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines crash near...
Countries including Britain, Canada, Germany and others on Wednesday condemned the Israeli security cabinet's approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying they violated international law and risked fuelling instability.
The Conservative Party says it would cut funding for green energy projects and redirect the money into defence, arguing the UK needs to be ready for war.
The UK government has advised its citizens against travelling to Afghanistan, citing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban led government.
The head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, the foreign spy service known as MI6, has warned that Russia "remains an aggressive and expansionist threat", vowing sustained support for Ukraine and calling for greater use of technology to protect UK security.
A majority of Russians expect the war in Ukraine to end in 2026, state pollster VTsIOM said on Wednesday, in a sign that the Kremlin could be testing public reaction to a possible peace settlement as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict intensify.
Military representatives from Cambodia and Thailand met in Chanthaburi province on Wednesday ahead of formal ceasefire talks at the 3rd special GBC meeting scheduled for 27th December.
Thailand and Cambodia both reported fresh clashes on Wednesday, as the two sides prepared to hold military talks aimed at easing tensions along their shared border.
It’s been a year since an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Relatives and loved ones mourn the victims, as authorities near the final stage of their investigation.
In 2025, Ukraine lived two parallel realities: one of diplomacy filled with staged optimism, and another shaped by a war that showed no sign of letting up.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday announced his support for his son Flavio Bolsonaro’s 2026 presidential candidacy while recovering from a planned hernia operation, which doctors said went smoothly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that he held an approximately one-hour discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on ways to end the war with Russia.
Polish fighter jets on Thursday intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near Poland’s airspace over the Baltic Sea and escorted it away from their area of responsibility.
On Thursday 25 December, a solemn commemoration ceremony took place in Baku to mark the first anniversary of the tragic Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
Algeria's parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation of the North African state a crime, and demanding an apology and reparations.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment