German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to London on July 17 in his first visit to the UK since taking office in May, Berlin confirmed on Friday.
Merz will be received by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the two leaders are expected to sign a “friendship treaty” focused on foreign and security cooperation, according to German government spokesman Steffen Meyer.
Germany and the UK, both strong backers of Ukraine, are accelerating rearmament efforts amid concerns over Russian aggression and fears that U.S. President Donald Trump may not uphold NATO commitments.
The upcoming treaty will also include measures aimed at boosting economic growth and encouraging stronger people-to-people contacts between the two nations, Meyer said.
Last October, Britain and Germany signed a “milestone” defence pact and have since launched several joint projects, including the development of strike missiles.
