Germany's Merz and UK's Starmer sign 'first of its kind' defence and migration treaty

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Germany's Merz and UK's Starmer sign 'first of its kind' defence and migration treaty  UK and Germany signed a historic defence treaty on Thursday, ensuring mutual aid in attacks and targeting migrant smuggling. The pact also strengthens military and economic cooperation.  READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/07/17/germanys-merz-and-uks-starmer-sign-first-of-its-kind-defence-and-migration-treaty  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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00:00British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a landmark

00:08treaty, the first formal UK-Germany agreement since World War II. The Kensington Treaty targets

00:15migrant smuggling, expands defence cooperation and strengthens economic ties. Germany will

00:21criminalise smuggling networks linked to channel crossings, giving authorities new powers to

00:26crack down on illegal routes as both countries aim to reduce illegal immigration. Starmer called

00:32the pact the first of its kind ever, while Merz said the agreement was long overdue, especially

00:37after Brexit. The deal also includes joint defence exports like boxer-armoured vehicles and typhoon

00:44jets, and plans for a new long-range precision missile. Economic measures include support for

00:51job creation of proposed cross-border rail-link and limited visa-free travel, including for

00:56school exchange trips. Both leaders said they saw the treaty as a reset in UK-Germany relations.

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