Germany and Britain have signed a wide-ranging friendship treaty, aimed at strengthening relations strained by the UK's departure from the European Union. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British prime minister Keir Starmer signed the agreement in London. It includes a mutual assistance clause, requiring each country to help the other, in the event of an attack. It also reduces trade barriers, and vows to crack down on migrant ‘smuggling’ networks. The treaty is the first of its kind