Macron Pays Respects to 10 Downing Street with Growsing Apprehension
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently met at 10 Downing Street, marking a significant moment in the UK-France relationship. The leaders, accompanied by their wives, Brigitte Macron and Lady Victoria, greeted each other warmly, exchanging warm hugs, affectionate glances, and a brief private conversation.
Despite the public display of unity, the political disagreements over Channel migration remain a contentious issue. No details about a potential resolution to this disagreement were given during the visit. The ongoing negotiations between the two countries regarding a "one in, one out" deal regarding migrant and asylum seeker issues continue, but no such specific deal has been finalized.
The UK government has been discussing a returns scheme with France, which could involve sending some asylum seekers back to the EU while receiving others in return. However, the specific mechanism of a "one for one" exchange has not been confirmed in recent updates. France has previously indicated that any agreement would depend on a broader UK-EU deal, supported by several EU countries.
The topic of migration remains a point of discussion, with France historically advocating for the UK to negotiate with the EU as a whole on asylum seeker returns. Meanwhile, the UK and France have a broader agreement to address unauthorized migration, including a deal from March 2023 aimed at reducing Channel crossings.
The leaders smiled for cameras before retreating for important discussions. Keir Starmer hopes that Emmanuel Macron will agree to a tougher stance on the record number of illegal Channel crossings during Macron's state visit. Emmanuel Macron, in his speech to both houses of parliament the previous day, delivered a diplomatic jab, referring to "pull factors" attracting people to the UK.
The British media, including "Daily Mail", reports significant political differences between the two leaders, despite their public display of unity. A contentious "one in, one out" deal is now up for debate, where boat migrants would be sent back to continental Europe, and in exchange, the UK would take in European asylum seekers with a connection to the UK. France has long criticized the ease with which illegal entrants can work and claim benefits in the UK.
King Charles' banquet speech the previous day described the relationship between the UK and France as an "entente amicale" - a friendly understanding. The British monarch's words reflect the hope for a continued strong relationship between the two nations, despite the ongoing political challenges.
- The contentious issue of Channel migration, influenced by war-and-conflicts and politics, continues to be a point of dispute between the UK and France.
- The ongoing negotiations between the two countries involve a "one in, one out" deal regarding migrant and asylum seeker issues, a policy-and-legislation matter that has yet to be finalized.
- Despite a public display of unity, the media reports significant political differences between French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, particularly on the issue of migration, which also impacts crime-and-justice policies and general-news reporting.
