A Beautiful Friendship

Wednesday's tête-à-tête was Merkel's first visit to Downing Street since Brown took over the reins of government from Tony Blair, and the visit helped consolidate an obvious affinity between Berlin and London, first signaled when Brown chose to make his first foreign trip after becoming prime minister in June to meet with Merkel in mid-July.

While the visit gave the two like-minded leaders an opportunity to discuss key issues, they also got to cement their growing friendship watching England play Germany in a soccer friendly at the new Wembley stadium, which the German team won 2-1.

Health program

With Brown currently leading efforts to revive the UN's Millennium Development Goals set out in 2000, the main focus of the talks was a proposed international health partnership targeting priority health needs in poor countries, including the sources of infant mortality, malaria and other endemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

Brown and Merkel admitted they are aware that they are "off track" in meeting the declared goals, with health care a particular sticking point.

The initiative to ensure that overseas aid is better targeted at the main health needs of impoverished countries will be officially launched on Sept. 5, they said in a joint statement.

"We know that weak systems -- the lack of health workers, clinics, supplies of essential medicines and lack of sustainable health-financing systems -- are the main barriers to making more rapid progress in improving health outcomes," it read.

The partnership will involve Britain, Germany, Canada and Norway, as well as the World Bank and the World Health Organization, and aims to improve access to health services in poorer nations as well to boost their effectiveness.

Afghanistan on the agenda

Also on Wednesday's agenda was Germany's military role in Afghanistan, where both countries are participating in the NATO-led military coalition trying to secure the country.

British politicians have begun calling for a greater German contribution to the NATO forces, such as fighting alongside British forces in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, where violence has been worse.

"British and German troops have different responsibilities, but are part and parcel of the same mission," said Merkel, pointing out that Germany has made much-needed reinforcements to Afghan police deployments.

EU future

The leaders went on to discuss mounting pressure in Britain for a referendum on the new EU constitutional treaty.

Speaking at a press conference after their meeting, Brown expressed confidence that Britain could secure all of its objectives in talks for the new treaty, which replaces the proposed constitution that was abandoned by the EU after it was defeated by referendum in France.

Britain would be deciding on a future European Union treaty in parliament without a nationwide referendum, he insisted.

"We believe the proper way to discuss this is through detailed discussion in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and I believe parliament will pass the legislation," Brown said.