The German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has championed a pragmatic recalibration of relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom during a recent address to the British Parliament, signaling a concerted effort to move beyond the lingering complexities of Brexit. He framed the inaugural EU-UK summit, held in London earlier this year, as a “significant signal” of intent, emphasizing a shared desire to establish a new framework for partnership.
Steinmeier outlined ambitions centered on streamlining trade, reducing bureaucratic obstacles and harmonizing regulations – measures designed to lower costs for businesses and ultimately benefit citizens on both sides of the English Channel. The recently signed Kensington Agreement between Germany and the UK, he noted, reflects a forward-looking approach, deliberately eschewing backward glances.
A prominent focus of the renewed engagement is security and defense cooperation. Steinmeier highlighted a deepening of collaboration, emphasizing a shared commitment to upholding common values and supporting Ukraine. He specifically cited the reinforcement of NATO’s northern and eastern flanks, joint efforts against hybrid threats and collaborative initiatives in energy and climate policy.
However, Steinmeier acknowledged the tangible consequences of Brexit, particularly the increased difficulty faced by young people regarding educational exchanges, study programs and internships. He recognized that these barriers require urgent correction, referencing ongoing efforts to establish a pan-European youth mobility agreement and bilateral initiatives aimed at facilitating student travel between Germany and the UK. The implementation of e-gates for frequent British travelers was also cited as a step in the right direction.
Despite these initial steps, Steinmeier stressed the need for greater ambition, referencing the extensive network of over 400 town partnerships already connecting communities in the UK and Germany. He argued that these grassroots connections, rather than formal treaties or institutions, are the bedrock of the enduring friendship between the two nations. While diplomatic efforts and policy alignments are crucial, Steinmeier underscored the fundamental importance of fostering personal connections and shared experiences to truly sustain and strengthen the relationship – a subtle critique of the often-rigid structures that have characterized post-Brexit engagement. The call to prioritize people-to-people exchange implicitly questions whether current government strategies are sufficiently addressing the human cost of the UK’s departure from the EU.