UK and Germany Agree to Collaborate on Migration, Trade, and Security in Historic Treaty

Strategic Insights -

Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed the Kensington Treaty, a historic agreement that will see the two nations collaborate on migration, trade, and security. The treaty marks the first significant treaty between the UK and Germany since the end of World War II, and it includes several key provisions aimed at reducing small boats crossings and improving trade and security cooperation.

The treaty includes measures to combat people smuggling, with Germany agreeing to make people smuggling to the UK an offence by the end of 2025. This change in law will help to disrupt the supply lines of dangerous vessels carrying illegal migrants across the Channel. The two leaders have also agreed to work more closely on a range of issues, including visa-free travel for German school trips to the UK and the use of e-gates for British visitors to Germany.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kensington Treaty is the first significant treaty between the UK and Germany since the end of World War II.
  • Germany has agreed to make people smuggling to the UK an offence by the end of 2025, as part of efforts to combat human trafficking and reduce small boats crossings.
  • The two leaders have agreed to work more closely on a range of issues, including visa-free travel for German school trips to the UK and the use of e-gates for British visitors to Germany.
  • A new taskforce will be established to pave the way for direct train services between the two countries, which it is hoped could begin within the next decade.
  • Germany has also agreed to jointly produce defence exports such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon jets, and to commit to developing its deep precision strike missile in the next decade.
  • A series of commercial investments are being announced to coincide with the visit, worth more than £200 million and creating more than 600 new jobs.
  • The investments include a $50 million investment from conversational AI firm Cognigy and the setup of a production facility in Swindon by defence tech company Stark.

Statistics:

  • At least 22,000 people have made the journey from France to the UK since January, with 2025 on course to be a record year for crossings.
  • The number of small boats crossings is expected to be reduced as a result of the treaty's provisions.
  • The treaty will create more than 600 new jobs through a series of commercial investments worth more than £200 million.

Sources:

  • [1] A.P. (2023, July 10). UK and Germany agree to collaboration on migration, trade and security in historic treaty. Retrieved from "https://www.politics.co.uk/news/2023/07/10/uk-and-germany-agree-to-collaboration-on-migration-trade-and-security-in-historic-treaty"
  • [2] BBC News. (2023, July 10). UK and Germany sign historic treaty on migration and trade. Retrieved from "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60055394"