PM Seeks Bilateral Deal & Improvement In EU Relations On Visit To Germany

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is in Germany for meetings with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz as the two sides seek to push for agreement on the 'biggest ever' Anglo-German bilateral treaty. Starmer and Scholz are set to hold a press conference at 0945CET (0545ET, 1045BST).

• The visit, which will include a trip to Paris and talks with French President Emmanuel Macon on 29 Aug, intends to show it is time for the UK and EU to 'turn a corner on Brexit'. Starmer has sought to use much more positive language when talking about relations with the EU than was the case under previous Conservative gov'ts. An overnight press release talked about 'increased collaboration' in areas including 'market access, critical science, innovation and tech, clean energy, trade across the North Sea, supply chain resilience, energy security and green transition education, biodiversity, and the environment.'
• However, concrete policies remain lacking, and the gov't has already ruled out some early EU overtures in the area of a youth mobility scheme. However, with Westminster seeking preferential access for UK businesses to Germany according toThe Times, this will come with strings attached from Brussels around alignment with the single market.
• Politico reports that No.10 Downing St. is looking to have an Anglo-German treaty ready to go in early-2025. This could prove crucial given the German federal election on 28 September 2025 and polls showing at present that Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats face a heavy defeat.