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French President Emmanuel Macron received British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this Friday, March 10, at the Élysée Palace in Paris in a meeting that seeks to strengthen relations between the two countries, mired since the United Kingdom left the European Union. . The two presidents agreed to new agreements in terms of migration and energy partnership. In addition, they reiterated their willingness to cooperate for the defense of Ukraine.
The press conference after the meeting between the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris symbolized what the leaders called “a new beginning” in the deteriorating relations between the two countries. The fight against irregular immigration in the English Channel and support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion were the focus of the new bilateral agreements.
The meeting confirmed the new harmony between the leaders of France and the United Kingdom.
“I feel very lucky to be serving at your side and I am very excited about what we can build together. Thank you my friend,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference after their meeting in Paris.
“Today we have taken cooperation to an unprecedented level,” added Sunak.
This is a new tone that aims to open a new chapter in the troubled relations between the two European countries since the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
Migration, at the center of the agreements
Specifically, they announced that London will pay $557 million over the next three years to help intercept migrant boats crossing the English Channel from France.
Among the aid, the United Kingdom will help build a new immigration detention center in France. In addition, both countries will send officers to countries where people smugglers work on migration routes.
The partnership the UK and France share runs deep.
From tackling illegal migration to driving growth in our economies to defending our common security, when we work together we all benefit.
It’s in that spirit I’m looking forward to meeting @EmmanuelMacron today. pic.twitter.com/icjwBpMFvN
—Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) March 10, 2023
Sunak has made stopping ship arrivals one of his top five priorities after the number of migrants arriving on England’s south coast soared to more than 45,000 last year, up 500% in the past two years.
A meeting after years of tensions
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Paris, where he was received by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is Sunak’s first visit to the neighboring country since he took office in October 2022. A trip that he seeks that comes after a first good understanding between the two leaders at the last COP27.
The tension between the United Kingdom and France has been increasing since the British left the European Union on January 1, 2021, but the common support for Ukraine by the two main military powers in Europe has also opened a path for rapprochement. However, the new immigration law proposed by London has led to a new disagreement.
In between, the crisis of the Australian submarines and the animosity towards Paris of Sunak’s predecessors in office. The commitment to rapprochement, however, seems clear, since King Carlos III will carry out his first official visit to France in just over two weeks.
This Friday is the first Franco-British summit since 2018. It will be a broad summit in which Sunak travels with up to seven ministers from his cabinet.
With EFE and Reuters
