Andy Burnham praises UK-EU ties in meeting with Emmanuel Macron
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street to discuss bilateral cooperation. Key topics included managing illegal Channel crossings, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and strengthening UK-EU relations.
Why it matters
This meeting signals a shift toward closer UK-EU diplomatic ties and collaborative efforts on pressing security and migration challenges.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Macron and Burnham are holding bilateral talks on a range of issues
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has praised the UK-EU relationship as he holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about issues such as small boat crossings in the English Channel and defence.
The pair shook hands and posed for photographs alongside their wives outside 10 Downing Street on Thursday morning.
They are discussing "shared challenges" including the rise of "mega dinghies" crossing the Channel illegally, which the Conservatives say shows the UK government has failed to "smash the gangs".
Burnham said it was "so fitting" that Macron was his first overseas visitor in Downing Street since becoming PM in July, describing him as "our nearest neighbour and close friend Emmanuel".
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Burnham and Macron posed for photographs alongside their wives, Marie-France van Heel and Brigitte Macron
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