LONDON, Dec 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier 
arrived in London on Wednesday for the start of a state visit, the first by 
the official German head of state in 27 years.

The three-day trip, which includes a Windsor Castle state banquet and a 
speech to parliament, takes place as a deepening security alliance has helped 
rebuild London-Berlin ties that frayed in the turbulent post-Brexit years.

Steinmeier will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer later Wednesday for talks 
focusing on joint support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, the driving 
theme of closer co-operation between London and Berlin.

Steinmeier is reciprocating a 2023 state visit by King Charles III to 
Germany, his first as monarch.

His plane landed around mid-morning at London's Heathrow Airport on 
Wednesday.

The plane was parked and military personnel flanked a red carpet, but for 
over 30 minutes there was no sign of the German president.

Eventually he descended from the plane after the arrival of the heir to the 
throne, Prince William and his wife, Catherine.

A source in Steinmeier's office said the visit reflects "a new era in 
relations between our two countries".

After a post-Brexit period in which "Great Britain distanced itself from 
Europe ... we now have the impression that they are moving back", the source 
said.

Steinmeier was foreign minister when the Brexit referendum occurred and had 
choice words back then for the "irresponsible politicians" who "lured" 
Britain into leaving the EU.

However, ties across the English Channel improved under Conservative prime 
minister Rishi Sunak, and the trend has continued under his centre-left 
Labour successor Keir Starmer.

The visit comes as both the German and British governments face pressure from 
hard-right, anti-immigration parties -- the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and 
the Reform UK Party led by Nigel Farage.

- 'Apprehension' -

Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the political turmoil unleashed by the 
Trump administration have led key European powers to forge closer ties, 
including World War I and II-era foes Germany and Britain.

In October 2024, western Europe's two biggest military spenders signed a 
defence pact, followed by their first "friendship treaty" in July.

"The core of the relationship is in the security and foreign policy field," 
said Nicolai von Ondarza from the German Institute for International and 
Security Affairs.

But despite closer ties, Ondarza told AFP, "the UK is still much less present 
in German political debate than it has been in the past".

While there is room for the UK to move closer to its neighbours, he said, in 
Berlin "there is an apprehension that the current Labour government won't be 
courageous enough to move further on cooperation with the EU", as Farage 
rises in the polls.

The friendship treaty also included agreements on preventing irregular 
migration and promoting cultural and educational exchanges.

- Bombed cathedral -

Historical remembrance will feature prominently in Steinmeier's visit, which 
on Friday takes him to Coventry, a city devastated by German air raids in 
World War II.

Steinmeier will lay a wreath at the city's cathedral, joined by members of 
the Luftwaffe and British servicemen to underline the countries' current 
military ties.

He will then travel to Oxford to receive an honorary doctorate and visit a 
subsidiary of German industrial giant Siemens.

Representatives from Siemens and several other heavyweight German companies 
such as BMW, Deutsche Bank and RWE will participate in Steinmeier's 
delegation.

Mercedes is set to announce a o20 million ($26.4 million) electric vehicle 
technology project expected to create 150 jobs in the UK.

The countries' shared passion for football will be reflected on Thursday when 
German stars Per Mertesacker and Kai Havertz join Steinmeier to visit a 
London school.