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Prime Minister Andy Burnham is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday to discuss strategies for addressing cyber-security challenges and sabotage threats. This meeting marks Burnham’s first official visit to Germany, during which enhancing cooperation in response to increasing hybrid threats from Russia will be a key topic.
Both the UK and German intelligence agencies have reported escalating risks, notably highlighted last month when Germany accused Russia of deploying a drone armed with explosives targeting Leipzig/Halle Airport. The discussions in Berlin come shortly after Burnham expressed at the Labour Party conference his intention to explore possibilities for strengthening ties with the European Union, including the option of rejoining the bloc at some future point.
A spokesperson from the German government emphasized that any decision about a future referendum on EU membership would primarily be up to the UK but reiterated Germany’s support for a closer relationship between Britain and the EU. Upon arrival in Berlin, Burnham will receive military honors at the Chancellery before meeting Chancellor Merz face-to-face for the first time.
During the meeting, the two leaders will officially endorse the 2025 Kensington Treaty, a bilateral agreement aimed at combating hostile actions through enhanced cooperation in areas such as science, technology, defense, security, and economic growth. Ahead of the talks, Burnham stated that the UK and Germany are “joining forces to find, expose and disrupt” these threats, warning that “attacks on our infrastructure, our businesses and our democracies are not a distant threat. They reach into people’s homes and workplaces, and they are designed to make us weaker and more divided.”
The timing of the meeting coincides with scrutiny of Merz’s political standing amid challenges within his party, including speculation about his potential replacement due to weak approval ratings and recent regional election setbacks. Burnham himself assumed office in July, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer following Starmer’s resignation after internal party conflict. Although Merz has weathered immediate leadership challenges, uncertainty persists regarding his tenure.
Adding to the backdrop of these discussions are concerns about Germany’s reliability as an intelligence partner, coming shortly after the arrest of former spy chief August Hanning. Hanning faces accusations including espionage, treason, and unauthorized possession of classified information for a foreign entity. Having led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2005, Hanning has since worked as a private consultant
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