Mon Feb 03 02:10:00 IST 2025: ## UK and Germany Strengthen Ties Amidst European Uncertainty
**London, February 3, 2025** – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence, on February 2nd, to bolster UK-EU relations and discuss key international issues. The meeting, held ahead of planned discussions with EU leaders in Belgium, signals a concerted effort to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the European Union following Brexit.
While ruling out rejoining the EU’s trade bloc, Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the importance of closer collaboration on defence, energy, and trade. Both leaders highlighted the shared commitment to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, a conflict that has underscored the need for increased defence cooperation. This sentiment is reinforced by a defence pact signed between the two NATO members last October.
The meeting also touched upon the Middle East, and Prime Minister Starmer thanked Chancellor Scholz for his visit, noting the progress made in strengthening bilateral relations since he took office seven months ago. The visit comes at a challenging time for Chancellor Scholz, with his Social Democrats trailing in the polls ahead of Germany’s upcoming election.
First Piper 