Prime Minister Hosts French President Emmanuel Macron at Chequers for High-Level Talks
On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Chequers for a significant dinner meeting, marking the second visit from a world leader since Sir Keir’s appointment in July.
Sir Keir described the occasion as a “privilege,” emphasizing the importance of UK-France relations. The two leaders discussed a range of critical global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and the European Union’s relationship with the United Kingdom. Downing Street also indicated that topics such as illegal migration, technology, and economic growth were on the agenda.
President Macron hailed the gathering as “a great opportunity” to strengthen EU-UK ties and address the “main crisis” in Ukraine. This meeting comes at a pivotal moment, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, raising questions about future U.S. support for Ukraine under the new administration.
The talks followed a turbulent week for both leaders, who had been embroiled in public disputes with Elon Musk, one of Trump’s key advisers. Musk has criticized Sir Keir on social media, accusing him of opposing an inquiry into grooming gangs, while also targeting Macron for his stance on European political influence. In response, Sir Keir refrained from directly criticizing Musk but denounced the spread of “lies and misinformation” and defended his record on prosecuting grooming gangs.
Following the Chequers meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson revealed that Sir Keir and Mr. Macron had discussed the UK’s renewed approach to EU relations, as well as the ongoing support for Ukraine. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to unity during these uncertain times.
The spokesperson also highlighted that the UK’s new sanctions regime, aimed at curbing people-smuggling gangs, was a focal point of the talks. Both leaders agreed on the necessity for closer bilateral cooperation to combat the illegal trade of small boat crossings in the Channel.
Looking ahead, a UK-France summit is expected later this year, with both leaders aiming to deepen cooperation in areas such as economic growth, artificial intelligence, and defense.
Reference News :- Starmer and Macron discuss Ukraine and Middle East ahead of Trump’s inauguration
