STORY
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street, with migration across the English Channel, support for Ukraine and European security among the principal subjects. Macron is the first European Union leader to meet Burnham at Downing Street since he became Prime Minister.
The two leaders discussed cooperation intended to reduce small boat crossings and agreed that measures which had proved successful in the Channel should be expanded through wider European collaboration. Defence, energy security and continued assistance for Ukraine were also included in the discussions.
The meeting represented an early opportunity for Burnham to establish his approach to relations with European partners. Macron said Britain and France shared responsibility for the continent’s future and would continue working towards what he called a stronger, safer and more sovereign Europe.