UK and Germany hail most notable treaty since WWII

German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he “deplores” Brexit as he signed a major cooperation deal between his country and Britain.

- KATE DEVLIN WHITEHALL EDITOR

At a press conference yesterday alongside Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Merz said that countries should respond to the major challenges of our time “together”.

Speaking through a translator, Mr Merz, on his first official visit to the UK since he became chancellor in May, told the press conference that he “deplores deeply” the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

The UK-German treaty, the biggest between the two countries since the end of the Second World War, sees them both agree to collaborate on migration, trade and security.

Sir Keir and the German leader also agreed to “work ever more closely” on a range of issues.

The deal marks what has been a turnaround in Anglo-German relations.