(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JUL 17 - New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his first visit to London since taking office in Berlin, as part of an informal mission that will last a few hours. During the mission, he will sign a bilateral friendship treaty with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which is a declaration of intent on post-Brexit cooperation similar to those signed by the UK in recent years with several EU countries, including Italy, following the final entry into force of its divorce from Brussels. According to preliminary reports, the agreement's main focus is on commitments to rearmament and military cooperation among NATO allies, including bilateral cooperation, against the backdrop of a shared response to the threat posed by Russia (in light of the war in Ukraine) and other international geopolitical tensions. (ANSA).