Burnham Pledges Deeper EU Cooperation to German Chancellor Merz

BERLIN: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged deeper cooperation with the European Union at the Burnham Merz Berlin meeting on Thursday, his first visit to the German capital since taking office. Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ratified the UK-German Kensington Treaty, launched a new security partnership aimed at hybrid threats and signalled that Britain is open to Germany joining the next-generation GCAP fighter jet programme.

FAKTA

Kensington Treaty ratified — not re-signed

The central fact of the Berlin meeting is one the original draft got wrong: Burnham and Merz did not sign a new treaty. They ratified the Kensington Treaty — the Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation — which was signed on 17 July 2025 at London’s V&A Museum by then-prime minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Merz. It was the first treaty of its kind between the two countries since the Second World War and commits them to deeper cooperation on science, technology, defence, security and growth.

Its practical measures include British passport holders using German e-gates, visa-free school exchange trips between the two countries, a joint taskforce examining a direct rail link between London and Berlin within ten years, and German legislation criminalising the facilitation of migrant smuggling to the UK — a direct hit on the small-boat gangs in the Channel.

New security partnership against hybrid threats

The talks focused primarily on security, including the launch of a new security partnership aimed at hybrid threats. In brief remarks to journalists, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of countering hybrid attacks, saying both countries were facing them “on a regular basis”. “It makes sense to face these threats together and to support each other in countering them, as well as countering interference in our democratic processes as well, and being stronger together when we face these threats,” Burnham said.

The warning follows last month’s summons of a senior Russian diplomat by the British government over an “egregious and reckless attack” at Germany’s Leipzig airport, a major freight hub used for providing support to Ukraine. A drone carrying explosives was found near Ukrainian cargo planes in August but failed to explode and was defused; investigators suspect a second drone collided with a cargo aircraft nearby, and a third drone was reportedly found near the airport ten days later.

Burnham Merz Berlin talks open door to Germany on GCAP fighter jets

Speaking alongside Merz at the German Chancellery, Burnham announced that Britain is “open” to Germany joining the international coalition building the next generation of fighter jets. “We are talking today about defence collaboration, and I’ve indicated to the Chancellor, in our discussion prior to this ratification, our openness to Germany joining Gcap, the next generation of fighter aircraft,” he said. “And that is something that we seek to progress in the coming period, working with our partners Italy and Japan, in relation to that as well.”

GCAP — the Global Combat Air Programme — is the pact between the UK, Italy and Japan to build a sixth-generation stealth fighter, informally dubbed Tempest, equipped with technology including AI and next-generation sensors as Western nations seek to maintain air superiority over threats from Russia and China. Canada joined the programme as an “observer nation” in July.

Growth forum and deeper business ties

Beyond security and defence, the two leaders will convene a UK-Germany regional growth forum, bringing together British and German chief executives. The forum is focused on unlocking investment, strengthening industrial partnership and ensuring that the benefits of growth are felt in communities across both countries — a sign that the reset is meant to be economic as well as strategic.

Deeper EU cooperation and the year-end summit

Addressing the wider relationship with Germany and Europe, Burnham said he was “committed to securing deeper co-operation” with the EU at a summit with the bloc “towards the end of the year”. “We’ve had an excellent discussion today, and we will look to see if we can turn the summit into a good outcome for the EU, but also for the UK as well,” he said.

The summit date remains uncertain after it was postponed from July following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister. At the Labour Party conference last month, Burnham said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and left the door open to a bid to rejoin the EU, saying he would “set out the options” for relations with the bloc after the summit.

Conclusion

Burnham’s first Berlin visit as prime minister marks the most significant reset of UK-German relations since the Kensington Treaty was signed last year. By pairing the treaty’s ratification with a hybrid-threats security partnership, a possible German entry into the GCAP fighter programme and a business-led growth forum, the two leaders chose a practical, security-first route to post-Brexit cooperation — while Burnham’s pledge of deeper EU cooperation keeps a wider political reset on the table for the end of the year. Watan News will continue to follow the story in our World section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Burnham and Merz sign a new treaty in Berlin?

No. They ratified the Kensington Treaty, which was signed on 17 July 2025 in London by Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz. No new treaty was signed during Thursday’s meeting.

What is the Kensington Treaty?

The Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation between the UK and Germany — the first of its kind since the Second World War. It commits both countries to deeper cooperation on science, technology, defence, security and growth, with measures including e-gates for British passport holders, visa-free school exchange trips and a taskforce for a direct London–Berlin rail link.

What is the new security partnership?

A UK-Germany partnership against hybrid threats, launched during Thursday’s talks. It follows incidents such as the explosive-drone case at Leipzig airport in August, over which Britain summoned a senior Russian diplomat last month.

Will Germany join the GCAP fighter programme?

That has not been decided. Burnham said Britain is “open” to Germany joining GCAP, the UK–Italy–Japan programme building the sixth-generation Tempest stealth fighter. Canada joined as an observer nation in July.

What did Burnham say about the EU?

He said he was “committed to securing deeper co-operation” with the EU at a summit “towards the end of the year”. At last month’s Labour conference he said Brexit had done “more harm than good” and promised to “set out the options” for relations with the bloc after the summit.

Why was the EU summit postponed?

It was originally planned for July but postponed after Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as prime minister; no new date has been confirmed.