German president starts state visit to UK

GERMAN President Frank-Walter Steinmeier heads to the UK yesterday at a time when a deepening security alliance has helped rebuild ties frayed in the turbulent post-Brexit years.

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GERMANY and British flags adorn The Mall in central London, a day before the arrival of Germany's president for a three-day visit to the country.

(AFP)

The three-day trip is a state visit ~ the first by a German president in 27 years ~ and will take in a Windsor Castle state banquet and a speech to parliament, a rare honour for a foreign visitor.

Aside from the pomp and ceremony, Steinmeier will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer for talks set to focus on joint support for Ukraine against Russia, the driving theme of closer cooperation between London and Berlin.

Steinmeier is reciprocating a 2023 state visit by King Charles III to Germany, his first as monarch.

A source in Steinmeier’s office said the visit reflects “a new era in relations between our two countries”.

After a post-Brexit period in which “Great Britain distanced itself from Europe... we now have the impression that they are moving back’, the source said.