French, British leaders meet in efforts to fix relations

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meet Friday in Paris for a summit geared toward mending relations following post-Brexit tensions, in addition to enhancing army and enterprise ties and toughening efforts in opposition to Channel migrant crossings.

The French-British summit, the primary since 2018, is about to point out a “new chapter” is opening in relations between the 2 nations, in keeping with Macron’s workplace. Such an occasion was beforehand held virtually yearly.

Relations between the U.Okay. and France chilled amid post-Brexit wrangling over fishing rights and different points, and hit rock-bottom below Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who took enjoyment of needling the French. His successor, Liz Truss, ruffled French feathers final 12 months when she stated the “jury is out” on whether or not Macron was a pal or a foe.

However Russia’s invasion of Ukraine introduced Britain and its European neighbors nearer collectively in help of Kyiv, and the temper improved after pragmatic, technocratic Sunak took workplace in October after Truss’ temporary and economically destabilizing time period.

Sunak’s go to additionally comes two weeks earlier than King Charles III travels to France after which Germany for his first state visits since turning into monarch, in additional British efforts to construct bridges with European neighbors.

”The summit can be above all a chance to reaffirm and deepen the shut cooperation by way of army help for Ukraine,” in keeping with the assertion from Macron’s Elysee Palace, as each nations are the one nuclear powers within the area.

A delegation of seven senior ministers from every nation will participate, together with these answerable for overseas affairs, protection and home points.

Final month the U.Okay. and the EU introduced a breakthrough in talks to resolve the dispute over post-Brexit buying and selling preparations for Northern Eire. Britain additionally has cautiously welcomed Macron’s proposal for a European Political Group, a brand new discussion board geared toward boosting safety and prosperity throughout the continent. Launched in October, it brings collectively present EU members, aspiring companions within the Balkans and Japanese Europe, in addition to Britain and Turkey.

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Sunak seeks nearer cooperation on measures to cease hundreds of migrants crossing the Channel from France to England.

The U.Okay. and France signed an settlement in November to extend police patrols on seashores in northern France — with London agreeing to pay Paris 72.2 million euros in 2022-2023 — and Sunak hopes to cement additional cooperation on Friday. tackling unlawful migration.

Friday’s talks will goal at “making the small boat route throughout the Channel unviable, save lives and dismantle organised crime teams whereas stopping unlawful migration additional upstream,” in keeping with Sunak’s workplace.

The U.Okay. introduced contentious plans this week to detain and deport individuals arriving by small boat, however virtually no nation has agreed to simply accept any deportees.

Quickly after the assembly in Paris, nonetheless, will come a reminder of a difficulty that angered France.

Sunak will fly to the US for a gathering with President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over a three-way protection deal struck in 2021 that noticed Australia again out of an settlement to purchase French submarines.

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Lawless wrote from London.