Burnham and Merz set for Berlin security talks

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Thursday, October 8, for talks on security cooperation and a planned joint effort to counter cyberattacks, sabotage and other hybrid threats. The reports published ahead of the meeting do not confirm that the talks or partnership launch have taken place. Downing Street said the proposed partnership would involve sharing information and coordinating action to monitor, deter and disrupt threats to critical infrastructure. The governments also intend to strengthen resilience against cyber and physical attacks. Burnham said before the visit that Britain and Germany were joining forces to find, expose and disrupt threats to infrastructure, businesses and democracies. The leaders are also scheduled to formally ratify the Kensington Treaty, signed in 2025. The agreement provides a framework for closer cooperation in areas including science, technology, defence, security and economic growth. Ratification is planned for the Berlin meeting, but the available reports do not establish that it has occurred. Security discussions come amid concern in both countries about hostile activity.