GERMAN CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH Merz today said that he “deeply deplores” the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU. 

He made the remarks in front of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his opening statement at a joint press conference. 

Merz said: “The United Kingdom, and I personally deplore this deeply, decided to leave the European Union.”

He added that “it is together that we respond to the major challenges of our time”.

During the press conference Starmer said that plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine consisting of troops from other countries could include boots on the ground, and that the plans could be “operationalised now”. 

He said that the ‘coalition of the willing plans’ which have been led by the a

Starmer said that if there are peace talks between Russia and Ukraine “it must then be a lasting peace”. 

Germany and Britain today signed a ‘friendship treaty’ in London today in a move to create closer ties between the UK and the EU.

The two leaders also discussed plans for a direct train to Berlin in the news UK-Germany treaty. 

The UK’s Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the rail link could offer an alternative to flying within the next decade. 

“We’re pioneering a new era of European rail connectivity and are determined to put Britain at the heart of a better-connected continent,” she said.

“The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie – in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit these iconic sights direct from the comfort of a train, thanks to a direct connection linking London and Berlin.

“This landmark agreement – part of a new treaty the prime minister [has signed] with Chancellor Merz today – has the potential to fundamentally change how millions of people travel between our two countries, offering a faster, more convenient and significantly greener alternative to flying,” Alexander added.

The Kensington Treaty includes opening e-gates for frequent travellers between the two countries. 

The deal will see laws tighten around people smuggling gangs. 

Downing Street has said it will make it easier for German authorities to investigate and act against warehouses and storage facilities used by smugglers who are storing small boats intended for making illegal Channel crossings to the UK. 

Merz travelled to London for the first time since taking his role earlier this year as Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to realign the UK-EU post-Brexit relationship.

While Britain and Germany already have a commitment to mutual defence as Nato members, the treaty is expected to pave the way for greater defence cooperation, including in weapons development and operations.

- © AFP 2025