Prime Minister Andy Burnham has praised closer cooperation between the United Kingdom and European Union as he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in London.
The two leaders met at 10 Downing Street on Thursday to discuss a range of issues affecting both countries. Their talks included illegal small boat crossings in the English Channel, defence, Ukraine, the Middle East and future UK-EU cooperation.
Burnham described Macron as a close friend and an important partner for Britain. He also highlighted France’s position as the UK’s nearest neighbour.
The meeting marked an important moment for Burnham’s new government. Macron became the first foreign leader to visit Downing Street since Burnham became prime minister in July.
Burnham welcomes closer ties with France
Burnham said it was fitting that Macron was his first overseas visitor.
He described the French president as “our nearest neighbour and close friend Emmanuel” and said the visit demonstrated what close cooperation between the two countries could achieve.
The prime minister pointed to joint work on Ukraine and efforts to tackle small boat crossings as examples of cooperation.
He also said the UK wanted to strengthen its relationship with the European Union.
The comments underline the importance Burnham’s government places on rebuilding closer ties with European partners after years of tension following Brexit.
Macron’s visit also gives both leaders an opportunity to discuss areas where Britain and France face common challenges.
Small boats remain a major issue
Illegal Channel crossings are expected to be one of the most important subjects during the talks.
The number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel has remained a major political issue in Britain. Recently, authorities have also seen the emergence of much larger inflatable boats carrying unusually high numbers of people.
One vessel spotted earlier in August was about 15 metres long and carried a record 230 migrants towards the UK.
The vessels have been described as “mega dinghies” because of their size and capacity.
The development has raised fresh concerns about the ability of criminal smuggling networks to adapt their methods.
The Conservative Party has accused the government of failing to “smash the gangs” responsible for organising crossings.
Burnham has instead stressed that people-smuggling is a shared European problem that requires cooperation between Britain and France.
More officers sent to French beaches
The UK government says 45 additional police officers are being deployed to French beaches as part of a new “surge team”.
The officers will focus on larger boats and attempts to place more migrants on vessels before they leave the French coast.
The deployment adds to the wider UK-French effort to disrupt crossings before boats reach British waters.
Home Office Minister Anna Turley said earlier that the new officers were only one part of a much larger operation.
She said more than 1,000 officers are now working on beaches in northern France and claimed they are carrying out direct interventions against boats.
Turley said officers have faced significant challenges while attempting to stop crossings. She pointed to recent videos showing officers approaching boats and facing resistance from people attempting to launch them.
Conservatives question government strategy
The Conservative Party has welcomed cooperation with France but says the measures have not stopped the crossings.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she supported European cooperation but argued that boats were still reaching Britain.
She also criticised the amount of money Britain has spent working with France to control migration across the Channel.
Badenoch said the UK had spent hundreds of millions, and potentially billions, on efforts to strengthen border controls with France.
The criticism reflects the continuing political pressure on Burnham’s government to reduce irregular migration.
UK and France discuss Ukraine
Migration is not the only major issue on the agenda.
Burnham and Macron are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and European security.
Britain and France have worked closely on support for Ukraine and wider European defence issues.
Both countries have also sought to maintain influence over US policy toward the conflict.
Defence cooperation is becoming increasingly important as European governments reassess their security priorities.
The discussions between Burnham and Macron could therefore extend beyond immediate bilateral concerns and cover the wider future of European security.
Middle East also on the agenda
The leaders are also discussing the conflict in the Middle East.
Britain and France have both faced pressure to coordinate their diplomatic positions as fighting continues in the region.
Their discussions could include efforts to influence the wider international response and protect regional stability.
The talks show how broad the relationship between London and Paris has become.
Although small boat crossings are a major domestic issue for Burnham, the meeting also covers foreign policy, defence and Britain’s future relationship with Europe.
Macron’s visit and the Bayeux Tapestry
Macron’s trip to Britain was initially arranged around the historic Bayeux Tapestry.
The French president visited the British Museum on Wednesday and met King Charles during his visit.
The medieval tapestry is being loaned to the British Museum and will go on public display next week.
The cultural exchange adds a historic dimension to Macron’s visit, but his discussions with Burnham have placed modern political and security issues at the centre of the trip.
The UK and France have a long history of cooperation, and cultural projects such as the tapestry loan provide another opportunity to strengthen relations.
UK-EU relationship takes centre stage
Burnham’s comments about strengthening the UK-EU relationship are likely to attract significant attention.
Britain left the European Union several years ago, but trade, migration, security and defence continue to require close cooperation between the UK and European countries.
France is particularly important because of its geographical proximity to Britain.
The two countries must work together on issues ranging from Channel crossings to defence and energy security.
Burnham’s government is also seeking stronger economic links with European countries, making the relationship with Paris particularly significant.
A symbolic first foreign visit
Macron’s meeting with Burnham carries considerable political symbolism.
As the first foreign leader to visit Downing Street under Burnham’s premiership, the French president’s presence signals the importance London places on its relationship with Paris.
But the meeting also reflects practical concerns.
Britain cannot easily tackle Channel crossings without cooperation from France. At the same time, France remains an important partner on European security and international diplomacy.
The two governments therefore have strong reasons to maintain close contact.
A challenging relationship ahead
The meeting between Burnham and Macron comes as both leaders face difficult issues that require cooperation rather than unilateral action.
For Britain, reducing small boat crossings remains a major political challenge. For France, preventing migrant departures from its northern beaches has also become a continuing issue.
The emergence of larger boats adds another complication.
At the same time, the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East are increasing pressure on European countries to coordinate their foreign and defence policies.
Burnham’s meeting with Macron is therefore about much more than migration.
It represents an attempt to build a stronger working relationship between Britain and France while addressing problems that affect both sides of the Channel.
The discussions could also provide an early indication of how seriously Burnham’s government intends to deepen cooperation with the EU.
For now, London and Paris face a common set of challenges. Their ability to work together could prove crucial in tackling illegal migration, strengthening European security and rebuilding closer UK-EU ties.
