Germany closing small-boat loophole in new treaty with UK
- Britain and Germany signed a wide-ranging friendship treaty, marking German chancellor Friedrich Merz's first visit to London and aiming to deepen bilateral ties.
- The treaty builds on recent efforts to reset UK-EU relations, following French president Emmanuel Macron's visit, and signals increased cooperation among Europe's leading powers.
- Key areas of cooperation include defence, with pledges for joint export campaigns of military equipment and a new German defence tech factory in Britain.
- The agreement also covers transport, including a new direct rail link, and joint efforts to combat irregular migration, with Germany committing to outlaw facilitation of illegal crossings.
- Germany pledged to outlaw the facilitation of illegal migration to Britain, with a law change that would give law enforcement the ability to investigate warehouses where small boats are stored.