Germany's Merz to visit London next week to sign treaty of friendship

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is to make his inaugural visit to London on Thursday, with a German-British treaty of friendship expected to be signed.

Government spokesman Steffen Meyer said in Berlin on Friday that the visit is intended to deepen the close ties between the two countries.

Merz is to be received by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has sought to mend relations with the European Union following Brexit.

The draft treaty is to be approved by the German Cabinet on Wednesday.

It is to focus on cooperation in foreign and defence policy, as well as economic growth and further contact between citizens of the two countries.

Following the signing, the treaty must also be submitted to the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament.

An action plan is also to be presented, outlining concrete projects to intensify bilateral cooperation.