UPDATE - New treaty with Germany a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity,' says UK premier

UPDATE WITH MORE REMARKS

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Britain's prime minister on Wednesday praised bilateral ties with Germany, calling a new treaty that the two countries were signing a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity.

"A new agreement, a testament to the depth and potential of our relationship with deeper links on science, technology development, people, business culture, a boost to our trading relations," Keir Starmer said at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

Starmer stressed that at the heart of the treaty would be a new defense agreement that "builds upon our already formidable defense cooperation."

He went on to say that it also expands that relationship to face the threats of a volatile world together.

"That, of course, means a shared resolve to stand up for the security of our people, and the wider European continent," he noted, adding that this begins with their "unyielding support" for Ukraine.

"Because, as Europe’s largest contributors to Ukraine’s war efforts … and as the nations with the highest defense expenditure among European countries in NATO, we know only too well the debt we owe to the Ukrainian people who fight not just to defend themselves but for all the people of Europe," he said.

Starmer reaffirmed their commitment to stand with Ukraine "for as long as it takes."

The prime minister also noted that the new treaty with Germany is "part of a wider reset" grounded in a new spirit of cooperation.

Earlier, Starmer arrived in the German capital for bilateral talks and will later visit the French capital as part of a two-day European tour in a bid to "turn a corner on Brexit and fix the broken relationships."

- 'Reset with Europe does not mean reversing Brexit'

Reiterating that he is committed to "reset" ties with Europe, he added that this does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the EU's single market or Customs Union.

"But, it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defense."

On the irregular migration issue, Starmer said that they cannot “smash the smuggling gangs" who perpetrate this "vile trade" without the help of the UK's partners.

"And I’m really glad that we had substantive discussions today about how we tackle the smuggling gangs and agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration," he noted.

The premier added that the UK will renew its commitment to the Calais Group which comprises the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, the European Commission and its agencies and works to promote cooperation in tackling irregular migration.

- Bilateral cooperation treaty

According to a joint declaration on deepening and enhancing UK-Germany relations, released following the meeting, the two countries are launching work on a bilateral cooperation treaty and will hold government-to-government consultations to sign it by early next year.

"This treaty will reflect our status as the closest of partners in Europe, with the strongest possible bilateral cooperation on the issues that matter most to our populations," the declaration read.

It said that the joint priorities cover a number of key issues, including foreign policy cooperation in peace and security, growing economies, industrial transformation, law enforcement cooperation and action to tackle irregular migration.

"As leading European Allies in NATO, we will work together with our Allies and partners to ensure that our ability to deter and defend in the Euro-Atlantic area remains credible at all times and against any possible threats or adversaries."

It added that the UK and Germany are committed to "deterring a more aggressive Russia," sustaining our support to Ukraine and boosting European defense.

"In this context we welcome the work that is already being conducted at pace between our Defence Ministers on a new agreement on defence to strengthen the links between our defence communities, industries and armed forces, and which act as a key pillar of the forthcoming bilateral cooperation treaty," the declaration said.

Starmer is expected to attend the Paralympics' opening ceremony in Paris on Wednesday night, before meeting French business leaders, including major investors in the UK economy.

He will also have a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.