During a dinner between French President Emmanuel Macron and newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, they pledged to “reinforce their cooperation on illegal immigration” and revitalize the security partnership between their two countries.
In a joint statement issued at the end of their meeting, the two leaders affirmed that “looking to the future, France and the United Kingdom will persevere in their cooperation in all areas of their relationship.”
Migrants: A sensitive issue in the United Kingdom
This week two shipwrecks connecting the north of France with the UK, and several deaths on the sickening journeys, have both politicians addressing the issue of migrants crossing the Channel. They condoled the deaths in the recent tragedies and pledged to strengthen the fight against trafficking networks.
Macron stressed that solving the migration crisis could only be achieved through wider European cooperation. He emphasized that there is no silver bullet and that all concerned countries must work together to fight traffickers.
The British must “respect what was decided and signed.”
On security, both leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing threats. They also expressed their willingness to revitalize their cooperation to better respond to modern challenges and various threats to their values and interests.
Macron also stressed the importance of the UK honoring post-Brexit agreements signed with the European Union. He cautioned against any attempt to unilaterally modify these agreements, stressing that a comprehensive approach was necessary to maintain stable and constructive relations.
The tension caused by Brexit is over
With Keir Starmer’s Labor coming to power in July, the United Kingdom is seeking to end tensions over Brexit and improve its ties with the European Union. Macron and Starmer have expressed a willingness to work together on these issues.
The next Franco-British summit will be held in the United Kingdom in 2025, while the last will be held in Paris in 2023 with the then British head of government, Rishi Sunak.
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