Burnham to hold security talks with German chancellor in Berlin
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is visiting Berlin to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss cyber-security, defense, and the ratification of the 2025 Kensington Treaty. The visit aims to strengthen UK-EU ties and address hybrid threats from Russia.
Why it matters
This meeting signals a shift in UK-EU relations and a coordinated effort to address regional security threats in a post-Brexit landscape.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet his German counterpart Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Friday
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will hold talks on tackling cyber-security threats and sabotage with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.
Downing Street said deeper co-operation in the face of rising hybrid threats from Russia would be high on the agenda during Burnham's first official visit to Germany.
Intelligence services in both countries have warned of rising threats, including last month when Germany accused Russia of launching a drone fitted with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
The Berlin talks come days after Burnham told the Labour Party's conference he wanted to set out options for a closer relationship with the EU later this year, including the prospect of eventually rejoining the bloc.
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