Andy Burnham pledges to ‘bring the UK closer to Europe’ in talks with German Chancellor in Berlin

Andy Burnham has pledged to “bring the UK closer to Europe” as he met with Chancellor Friedrich Merz for talks in Berlin.

The Prime Minister made his first official visit to sign the 2025 Kensington Treaty, a sweeping security pact designed to strengthen both nations' defences against Russian hybrid warfare.

Mr Burnham confirmed he was also open to Germany joining the GCAP programme, an initiative between Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a cutting-edge new fighter jet.

The Kensington Treaty commits the UK and Germany to deepening collaboration across science, technology, defence, security and economic growth, with a particular focus on confronting hostile state activity.

It comes as both MI6 and Germany’s BND intelligence agencies have warned of an escalation in threats from Moscow.

The Prime Minister was treated to full military honours as he arrived at the Chancellery in Berlin and inspected an assembled guard of honour.

“In challenging times, and these are challenging times, we need the highest quality collaboration with our closest partners. And indeed, Germany is one of our closest partners,” Mr Burnham began in a speech alongside Chancellor Merz.

“We're glad to be here to ratify the Kensington Treaty today, which, if we work at it, Friedrich, will improve our security here in Europe, but also help grow our economies, improve the living standards of our citizens.

“We are announcing today a collaboration on a number of levels, particularly in relation to defence and security.”

The Prime Minister hailed the agreement as a “new partnership countering hybrid attacks”.

“This is something that the UK and Germany are facing on a regular basis, and it makes sense to face these threats together, and to support each other in countering them.”

He also said the two countries would work together in “countering interference in our democratic processes as well, and being stronger together when we face these threats”.

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“I've indicated to the Chancellor, in our discussion prior to this ratification, our openness to Germany joining GCAP, the next generation of fighter aircraft.

“On so many fronts, the UK and Germany, our interests are aligned, and we are the two biggest economies in Europe, the two biggest investors in defence.

“I am very committed to securing deeper cooperation as a result of this summit and seeing if we can bring the UK closer to Europe, particularly in the interests of economic growth and also collaboration on irregular migration.”

“We will look to see if we can turn the summit into a good outcome for the EU, but also for the UK as well,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr Burnham also celebrated the “historic” first joint meeting of the British and German cabinets, expected next year.

“We intend that this treaty is not words on a page left on a shelf but that we are going to put it into effect in a very real and meaningful way,” he pledged.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Berlin comes just days after the arrest of former German spy chief August Hamming.

Mr Hamming, who led Germany's Federal Intelligence Service between 1998 and 2005, was detained on suspicion of espionage, treason and unlawfully obtaining classified material on behalf of a foreign power.