French President Emmanuel Macron and new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have pledged to strengthen their cooperation on irregular migration and revitalize the defense partnership between Paris and London. This commitment was made during a bilateral working dinner on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit near Oxford, England.
The leaders announced plans to organize the next Franco-British summit in the United Kingdom in 2025, following the previous one in Paris in 2023 when the Conservative Rishi Sunak was the British Prime Minister. Since the Labor Party's victory in early July, the United Kingdom has been keen to overhaul its relations with the European Union to move past the disruptions caused by Brexit.
A critical point of discussion was the issue of migrants crossing the Channel. Both leaders expressed their condolences for the victims of recent tragic events and committed to strengthening cooperation to combat irregular migration and the criminal networks responsible for these dangerous crossings. Macron emphasized the need for a coordinated effort with European countries to effectively address the issue of smugglers.
In addition to migration, Macron and Starmer reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and expressed a desire to revitalize defense cooperation to better address the complex challenges of the modern world. They highlighted the variety of threats posed by hostile states and non-state actors to their values and interests.
Macron described the current moment as crucial for overhauling Franco-British relations and the UK's relationship with the EU. He called on the British to respect the agreements made during the Brexit negotiations and warned against selective improvements. Instead, he advocated for a comprehensive approach to their bilateral relations.
The two leaders had previously met in Washington on the sidelines of the NATO summit and had a telephone conversation following Labor's victory in the legislative elections. Their first substantive interview took place on July 18, with a focus on resetting relations between the UK and the EU, as well as reviewing all aspects of the Franco-British relationship.
The British government, in its throne speech read by King Charles III, confirmed its intention to redefine relations with European partners. Macron expects Starmer to present his vision for resetting the UK-EU relationship, laying the groundwork for future discussions. The French presidency stressed the importance of considering European interests and avoiding a cherry-picking approach. Formal discussions will take place within the EU framework, covering energy issues, defense, and cooperation on migration matters.
- Macron and Starmer's commitment to strengthening cooperation on irregular migration comes at a time when the UK is facing significant challenges with migrant arrivals crossing the Channel. This issue has been a sensitive point for the British side, and the leaders' pledge to combat criminal networks responsible for these crossings is a crucial step toward addressing the problem.
- The revitalization of defense cooperation between France and the UK is seen as essential in the face of modern threats posed by both state and non-state actors. This renewed partnership aims to enhance both countries' ability to respond to complex security challenges and protect their shared values and interests.
- The upcoming Franco-British summit in 2025 will provide an opportunity to further solidify the commitments made by Macron and Starmer. This summit will be a platform to review progress and set new goals for cooperation in various areas, including migration, defense, and energy.
- The UK government's desire to reset relations with the EU marks a significant shift from the post-Brexit era. Macron's emphasis on a comprehensive approach to bilateral relations underscores the importance of mutual respect and collaboration in navigating the complexities of international partnerships.
