LONDON (AFP) - British Prime Minister Andy Burnum and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday held their first official talks, topped by legal immigration and British-European relations.

Published on: 09/03/2026 - 09:27 Last updated: 09/03/2026 - 23:00

Burnum, who took office as prime minister on July 20, and his wife, Marie-France Van Hiel, received the French President and First Lady Brigitte Macron in front of the famous black door of Burnum's headquarters at 10 Downing Street.

At home, the leaders discussed “the United Kingdom’s efforts to strengthen its rapprochement with Europe,” according to a British government statement on the discussions.

Burnum seeks to build on Starmer's efforts to strengthen cooperation with the European Union after Britain's exit, with the aim of supporting faltering British economic growth.

He said that Britain should be "more bold" in approaching the European Union, but he refrained from backing down from Starmer's position of refusing to re-join the European Union's single market or customs union, or returning to the rules of freedom of movement within the bloc.

Further complicating matters are fears that the European Union's "Made in Europe" agenda, which aims to protect steel industries in the 27-nation bloc, will harm the faltering British steel sector.

Macron became the first European Union leader to be received by Burnham in Downing Street.

The visit is important for Macron, who is approaching the final months of his presidential term, which is scheduled to end in May 2027.

In statements recorded by the media at the beginning of the meeting, Macron described the meeting as a “very important moment” for relations between the two countries, adding that it came “out of a desire and commitment to further strengthen rapprochement.”

"Enhance rapprochement"

The French President said on Wednesday, "Even if we do not always agree on all issues, we have mutual respect for each other... and we remain open to discussing all topics, including reviving relations between Britain and the European Union."

The British Prime Minister announced that Burnum and Macron will discuss how to address "the increasing use of huge rubber boats", or larger and more powerful boats to transport migrants across the Channel.

In the coming weeks, a “rapid intervention team” including 45 French officers will be deployed on the beaches to confront such boats, according to Downing Street.

Burnam told Macron that countries are “making progress in reducing numbers and reducing crossings.”

The United Kingdom recorded the lowest crossings of small boats carrying migrants on the Channel this summer since 2019, the government announced Monday, praising the success of its agreement with France to limit crossings.

According to the British statement, “It is now necessary to expand this success throughout Europe to deter irregular migration.”

Regarding the Russian war on Ukraine, Burnam confirmed London's support for Kiev by choosing it last month as the destination for his first foreign visit.

Macron and former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had good relations and assumed leadership roles in the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine.

During his speech at the British Museum on Wednesday, Macron praised Britain's provision of information to Ukraine about the components of the long-range "Scalp" missile, which is the French version of the British "Storm Shadow" missile.

The two sides discussed "next steps to establish local assembly lines" in Ukraine for SCALP missiles, according to a Downing Street statement, as well as efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Burnham and Macron met for the first time on Wednesday evening at the British Museum, in the presence of King Charles III, to visit the textile exhibition, including the famous French Bayeux tapestry, which was loaned for this occasion, before the exhibition opened its doors to the public.

Macron had personally decided to loan the tapestry for a year during his state visit to the United Kingdom in July 2025, with the aim of “reviving the cultural relationship” and demonstrating the “trust” currently prevailing between Paris and London.

“This shows what cooperation can achieve,” Burnum told Macron on Thursday, adding that France’s loan to Britain of the nearly 1,000-year-old woven is “a personal gesture that reflects a great deal of goodwill, trust and friendship.”

This 11th-century artwork depicting the invasion of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy in 1066, arrived in London in July for inclusion in the sold-out exhibition.

In his speech, Burnam praised this moment as an opportunity to build “a new future...full of optimism and hope.”

The exhibition, which is not yet open to the public, will continue until July 2027.

© 2026 AFP

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