France and the United Kingdom on Thursday reached several deals on migration, nuclear cooperation and support for Ukraine, after a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron to London.The three-day visit was hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and included a carriage procession to Windsor Castle with King Charles and a state banquet.Starmer and Macron held a press conference on Thursday where they announced the deals, highlighting tougher migration controls.
What is the new migration scheme?
The two countries agreed on a “one in, one out” returns scheme, where the UK would be deporting undocumented people arriving in small boats to France, in return for accepting an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with British family connections.“I’m pleased to announce our agreement today on a ground breaking returns pilot. For the very first time, migrants arriving in small boats will be detained and returned to France in short order,” Starmer said.“This will show others trying to make the same journey that it will be in vain,” he added.The agreement would need “prior legal scrutiny in full transparency and understanding with the Commission and EU member states,” which may delay its implementation.Starmer had been under pressure to address high levels of immigration in the UK, including asylum seekers arriving by small boats across the Channel from France, as his popularity has sunk and the populist Reform UK party, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, has grown in prominence.
More long-range missiles for Ukraine
Aside from migration, the two leaders also addressed the key issue of support for Ukraine.Starmer and Macron dialled into a meeting Thursday of the so-called “coalition of the willing” on Ukraine, announcing that new headquarters for the European-led, 30-nation bloc had opened in Paris.The two leaders also pledged to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles, while stepping up work on a replacement system.The long-range, air-launched missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia.
Macron calls for recognition of Palestinian state
During the visit, the two leaders also touched on Israel’s war in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron urged joint UK-France recognition of a Palestinian state.Macros said it represented “the only hope for peace” in the region. The French president said he wanted to “initiate this political dynamic” of recognizing Palestinian statehood.Macron said in London that a ceasefire was a matter of “absolute urgency.”“We are aware that a political way out is crucial, and I believe in the future of the two-state solution as a basis for regional security architecture which will enable Israel to live in peace and security alongside its neighbours,” he added.