NEW DELHI: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron held talks on how to “scale up” efforts to tackle illegal migration and move the UK closer to Europe.
The two also discussed production of longrange missiles in Ukraine. They discussed Britain’s “drive to get closer to Europe”, a Downing Street spokesperson said on September 3.
During their discussion, Burnham told his French counterpart that the European Union’s Made in Europe agenda, which could see the EU prioritising Europeanmade goods in public contracts, “could pose significant challenges for UK industry”, the spokesperson added.
The wo “agreed it was vital to work together to find a way forward to protect shared interests,” the spokesperson also said. Burnham said it was “so fitting” that Macron was his first overseas visitor since becoming PM in July, describing him as “our nearest neighbour and close friend Emmanuel”.
Burnham said it was “so fitting” that Macron was his first overseas visitor since becoming PM in July, describing him as “our nearest neighbour and close friend Emmanuel”.
“It shows what collaboration can achieve, just as we are also showing on Ukraine, on small boats, and also on strengthening the UK-EU relationship,” Burnham added. Macron said, “This is a very strong relationship. For me it is extremely important, and I’m here with willingness and a commitment to get closer.”
The French leader’s visit to the UK was primarily to mark the Bayeux Tapestry’s loan to the British Museum. Macron and King Charles hailed the Bayeux Tapestry as a symbol of their countries’ intertwined stories as they visited the 1,000-year-old artwork September 2 at its temporary home in the British Museum.
King Charles praised the agreement between Britain and France that brought the priceless, fragile tapestry to London, and called its presence there “a precious symbol of trust at a time when trust seems sadly to be in short supply between nations.”
