French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, the second day of his state visit to the United Kingdom, negotiated with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Their interview was primarily about security and defense issues and illegal immigration, he says in his TASR report.
As the AFP reported, Starmer highlighted the match in views with France and mutual cooperation, and bilateral relations remain strong as it has ever been. According to Macron, partnership and friendship between the two countries are ultimately a “decisive factor” in many questions.
The problem of migration
A burning problem in Britain and France’s relations is illegal immigration, and London asks Paris more actively accessing it. AFP notes that in the United Kingdom, frustration is increasing from the earmarking of financial contributions to France to prevent migrants from embarking on a journey through the Laman Strait.
According to AFP London, he hopes to reach Paris with a “one” one agreement in which small ships with migrants would send back to the continent in exchange for the United Kingdom to accept asylum seekers in Europe who have ties to Britain.
Macron promises measures
On Tuesday, Macron promised to take measures to reduce the number of migrants exceeding the Lamanský Strait on Tuesday in his speech to the deputies of both chambers of the British Parliament. According to him, however, the problem must be approached “human, solidarity and fair”.
The topics discussed at the headquarters of the British Prime Minister on Downing Street will also be on the program on Thursday at the British-French summit with the participation of the leaders of both countries and the respective ministers.
Visit program
Macron and his wife Brigitte began the day by paying respect to Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022. After a joint walk in the area of Windsor Castle and an interview with biodiversity with King Karol III. The Macron family traveled to London, where the French President at the Imperial College London University met with business and artificial intelligence scientists (AI).
On this occasion, Macron stated that the United Kingdom and France are leaders in this area in Europe, but Europe is lagging behind the United States and China.
Historical Tapestry in London
On Wednesday afternoon, Macron had a visit to the British Museum, where he and Starmer officially announced the lending of the famous Bayeux tapestry from the United Kingdom – almost a millennium of the old symbol of war relations between England and Continental Europe.
The tapestry should be exhibited at the British Museum from September 2026 to June 2027.
On Wednesday, the French President will also meet the business community at dinner that will be held in his honor in the historic Guildhall building in City, London.
