French President Emmanuel Macron has praised Sir Keir Starmer’s “powerful willingness” to strengthen ties between post-Brexit Britain and the European Union, calling it a “significant moment for our Europe” as he began a historic three-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
In a statement released ahead of his lunch with King Charles III on Tuesday, Macron welcomed what he described as the UK’s renewed commitment to European cooperation, marking the first state visit by an EU leader to Britain since the country left the bloc in 2020.
“The willingness expressed by the United Kingdom to strengthen ties with the European Union is a powerful signal – one that I welcome,” Macron stated. “It commits us collectively to explore new means of cooperation that respect our mutual interests.”
The French president’s words come as Prime Minister Starmer faces pressure to secure a “one-in, one-out” migrant returns deal with France, a key political priority as both nations grapple with illegal Channel crossings. Macron is scheduled to address both Houses of Parliament at approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, following in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand.
In his statement, Macron emphasized the breadth of potential cooperation between the two nations. “There is so much we can build together: for the stability of our continent, for our shared prosperity and competitiveness, and for the protection of our democracies,” he said.
The French leader highlighted concrete examples of Franco-British partnership, including joint efforts to support Ukraine, industrial projects with EDF, space cooperation, and military collaboration. Our joint efforts to support Ukraine – where the security of our continent is at stake – our industrial projects with EDF, our cooperation in space and joint military work are all concrete examples that show how vibrant and forward-looking our partnership is,” Macron stated.
Concluding his remarks with a flourish characteristic of French diplomatic rhetoric, Macron declared: “French and British: two free and proud peoples who never give up. That is what unites us, beyond any official texts. That is what binds us.”
The state visit, hosted by King Charles III, represents a significant diplomatic moment for UK-France relations, which had soured during the Brexit negotiations and immediate aftermath under the previous Conservative government. The invitation marks the first state visit afforded to a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit in 2008 during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
Tuesday’s packed itinerary includes Macron laying a wreath at Westminster Abbey’s Grave of the Unknown Warrior before his parliamentary address in the Royal Gallery of the Palace of Westminster. The French president and his wife, Brigitte, will stay at Windsor Castle, where King Charles will host a state banquet in their honor.
During the banquet, King Charles is expected to emphasize the enduring bonds between the two nations. “Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together,” the King will say, according to advance excerpts from Buckingham Palace.
The centerpiece of the diplomatic engagement will be the 37th Franco-British Summit on Thursday, where Macron and Starmer will discuss critical bilateral issues. High on the agenda is support for Ukraine, with both leaders set to co-chair talks on strengthening Kyiv’s defenses against Russian aggression.
The summit will also address the politically sensitive issue of illegal migration across the Channel, a topic that has strained relations in recent years. Both governments are under pressure to find effective solutions to stop dangerous small boat crossings, which have become a major political issue in Britain.
Defense cooperation will feature prominently in discussions, with both nations seeking to enhance military collaboration at a time of heightened security concerns across Europe. The talks come as European nations grapple with the implications of potential changes to US foreign policy under the Trump administration.
The Élysée Palace confirmed that Macron and Starmer would speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the visit, as well as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as part of efforts to maintain European unity on Ukraine support.
The visit also occurs against the backdrop of global trade uncertainty, with concerns about potential US tariffs looming over European economic planning. Both leaders are expected to discuss strategies for navigating the complex international trade environment while strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Starmer, who took office in July 2024, had promised during his election campaign to “reset” Britain’s relationship with European partners while respecting the Brexit referendum result. His government has emphasized pragmatic cooperation on shared challenges rather than reopening Brexit debates.
The Labour government’s approach marks a departure from the more confrontational stance of previous Conservative administrations, though Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU single market or customs union. Instead, his focus has been on practical cooperation in areas like security, trade, and migration.
Wednesday’s agenda includes Macron meeting with business leaders in London, reflecting the economic dimension of the Franco-British relationship. France and the UK remain significant trading partners despite Brexit-related friction, with both nations seeking to boost bilateral trade and investment.
The state visit’s timing is particularly significant as both nations face similar challenges: supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, managing migration pressures, adapting to potential US trade policies, and maintaining economic competitiveness in an uncertain global environment.
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Image Credit:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends NATO Summit – Image by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
