Prime Minister's conference speech in Berlin: 28 August 2024
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks at his press conference with Chancellor Scholz in Germany.

Thank you.聽
And can I first express my sincere condolences for the shocking attack in Solingen last week.聽
Our country knows what it鈥檚 like to suffer such senseless and despicable acts鈥β�
And our thoughts are with all the families affected by this terrible event.聽
And Olaf - thank you.聽
It鈥檚 fantastic to be with you here in Berlin.聽
Not, alas鈥β�
My聽first聽visit here as Prime Minister.聽
Football, it turns out鈥β�
Decided to visit it鈥檚 second home in Spain, this time.聽
But anyway 鈥� it was still an incredible experience鈥β�
And a showcase for the fantastic hospitality of this great nation.聽聽
So thank you for hosting yet another episode in English footballing trauma! I鈥檝e been through a lot.
Anyway - I鈥檓 delighted to be back at this moment of opportunity for our two countries.聽
Olaf - on every occasion we鈥檝e met, we鈥檝e talked about our ambitions for the future鈥β�
Our values of security, prosperity, respect鈥�
And our shared determination to harness the power of government鈥β�
For the service of working people.
That is what we are doing today.聽
A new UK-Germany Treaty鈥β�
A once in a generation chance to deliver for working people鈥�
In Britain and in Germany.聽
A new agreement鈥β�
A testament to the depth and potential of our relationship.聽
With deeper links on science, technology, development, people, businesses, culture.聽
A boost to our trading relations鈥β�
Germany 鈥� of course, already the UK鈥檚 second largest trading partner in the world.聽聽
And through that - a chance to create jobs here and in the UK鈥β�
And deliver that most precious of goods, for both our countries鈥β�
Economic growth.聽
Let me be clear - growth is the number one mission of my Government.聽聽
And what we understand, clearly鈥β�
Is that building relationships with our partners 鈥� here in Germany and across Europe鈥β�
Is vital to achieving it.聽
That is what our agreement today represents 鈥� the chance that we have.聽
We鈥檒l also deepen cooperation on shared social challenges鈥β�
For example, on illegal migration.聽
Because we cannot smash the smuggling gangs who perpetrate this vile trade鈥β�
Without the help of our partners.
And I鈥檓 really glad that we had substantive discussions today about how we tackle the smuggling gangs and agreed to develop a joint action plan to tackle illegal migration.聽
So we will renew our commitment to the Calais Group鈥β�
Enhance our intelligence sharing on organised immigration crime.聽
But also - increase collaboration on tackling climate change.聽
An important goal for the planet, of course鈥β�
For greater energy security鈥β�
But also - for tackling the drivers of challenges like illegal migration聽at source.聽
And finally 鈥� at the heart of this Treaty鈥β�
Will be a new Defence Agreement.聽
An agreement that builds upon our already formidable defence co-operation鈥β�
But which expands that relationship to face the threats of a volatile world, together.聽
That of course means a shared resolve to stand up for the security of our people and the wider European continent.聽
And that begins with our unyielding support for Ukraine 鈥� we discussed that in some detail today.聽
Because, as Europe鈥檚 largest contributors to Ukraine鈥檚 war efforts鈥β�
And as the nations with the highest defence expenditure among European countries in NATO鈥�
We know only too well the debt we owe to the Ukrainian people鈥β�
Who fight not just to defend themselves鈥β�
But for all the people of Europe.聽
So today - we reaffirmed our commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
We also share a common commitment to resolve the crisis in the Middle East, and agree on:
鈥srael鈥檚 right to self-defence, in compliance with International Humanitarian Law鈥β�
鈥he need for de-escalation across the region; and for restraint and caution to be exercised鈥�
Unfettered humanitarian access into Gaza鈥�
鈥greement to a ceasefire and release of all hostages鈥�
鈥nd the importance of working together towards a political solution鈥β�
based on the creation of a Palestinian State alongside a safe and secure Israel.
The only way to provide long-term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
That of course 鈥� is not an easy goal.聽
But it is one that we are committed to pursuing, together.聽
Because 鈥� as today shows鈥β�
Britain can advance its interests much more effectively鈥β�
When we stand with our friends and partners.
This Treaty is part of a wider reset 鈥� grounded in a new spirit of co-operation鈥� with our shared understanding that this will be developed at pace and that we hope to have agreed it by the end of the year.聽
A Britain reconnected鈥β�
Resetting our relationships鈥β�
Rediscovering our common interest鈥�
Delivering for working people.聽
Britain and Germany already have an incredible relationship.
We invest billions in each other鈥檚 countries.
Thousands and thousands of jobs are supported through trade.
And every year, millions of people travel between our two countries鈥�
Exchanging ideas鈥β�
Collaborating, creating and connecting.聽聽
But today - we build on that鈥�
A bright new future for UK-German relations鈥�
Two great countries - brought closer together than ever before.聽
The strongest strategic partners in Europe聽and聽on the world stage.
Thank you so much for hosting us here today.