Great Britain and Germany are about to sign a comprehensive bilateral treaty that includes a clause for mutual assistance in the event of a threat to one of the countries, five sources familiar with the process said. The agreement marks a new stage in the deepening of British-German relations in the context of the weakening US commitments to European security, writes "Politico".
The treaty, the text of which is already almost finalized, is expected to be signed on July 17 - before the summer recess of both parliaments. Its foundations were laid last summer with a joint declaration between then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and current British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, promising closer cooperation in the areas of peace, security and economic growth.
A key part of the treaty will be devoted to defense and will build on last year's Trinity House Agreement. According to it, any strategic threat to one country will be considered a threat to the other. This would effectively give Germany a mutual defense treaty with both of Europe's nuclear powers - Britain and France - which would meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz's desire to strengthen European deterrence independently of the United States.
The document would reaffirm the commitment to NATO as a key pillar of collective defense, but the inclusion of such a clause would signal a desire for a more independent European security policy.
In addition to defense measures, the treaty would include provisions to combat illegal migration, cooperation in transport, science and innovation, and initiatives to promote cross-border exchange programs. The latter is proving to be a sensitive topic for Starmer's cabinet, which is under domestic pressure to curb both legal and illegal migration.
On youth mobility, negotiations will continue at EU level, as Britain failed to reach a separate agreement with Berlin on this issue in May. Germany has been among the most vocal advocates of a more liberal regime for young Europeans to enter the UK after Brexit.
The deal between the Starmer and Merz governments is the result of 18 rounds of negotiations, including five face-to-face meetings - three in Berlin and two in London.
"The deal will cover the entire spectrum of our relations," a German foreign ministry spokesman said. The British Foreign Office declined to comment at this time.