{"id":37529,"date":"2026-09-04T06:54:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T03:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=37529"},"modified":"2026-09-04T06:54:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T03:54:57","slug":"macron-and-burnham-seek-closer-france-uk-cooperation-on-migration-ukraine-and-european-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/macron-and-burnham-seek-closer-france-uk-cooperation-on-migration-ukraine-and-european-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Macron and Burnham seek closer France-UK cooperation on Migration, Ukraine and European security"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>7 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>British Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with French President Emmanuel Macron for the first official talks at Downing Street on September 3, 2026, focusing on closer UK-European relations, illegal migration across the English Channel, support for Ukraine and security issues in the Middle East.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The meeting marked an early test of Burnham&#8217;s approach to rebuilding Britain&#8217;s relationship with the European Union after Brexit. Macron described the talks as a &#8220;very important moment&#8221; for relations between Britain and France and said he had come with a &#8220;willingness and a commitment to get closer and closer.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burnham, who took office in July, has sought to strengthen Britain&#8217;s cooperation with the EU while stopping short of reversing key Brexit decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UK government has said Britain needs to be &#8220;bolder&#8221; in its engagement with Europe as it seeks to address weak economic growth and deepen cooperation with neighboring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two leaders also discussed migration, Ukraine and wider European security, highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship at a time when both countries face pressure to strengthen cooperation on defense and regional crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Migration Cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Migration across the English Channel was a major issue during the talks, with Britain and France seeking to prevent increasingly sophisticated smuggling networks from sending migrants toward England in small boats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">British authorities have reported the lowest number of small-boat crossings during the summer since 2019, according to the government. The decline has been linked to a UK-France enforcement agreement aimed at disrupting smuggling operations and preventing boats from leaving the French coast.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"fr\" dir=\"ltr\">D\u00e9claration du Pr\u00e9sident <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@EmmanuelMacron<\/a> et du Premier Ministre britannique, Andy Burnham depuis Londres. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/maNdrDxbMM\">pic.twitter.com\/maNdrDxbMM<\/a><\/p>&mdash; \u00c9lys\u00e9e (@Elysee) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Elysee\/status\/2095463847624646826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 3, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>However, Burnham warned that the improvement should not lead to complacency. &#8220;Smuggling gangs are constantly adapting their tactics, and the UK and France need to respond quickly,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two governments are particularly concerned about the growing use of so-called &#8220;mega dinghies&#8221;, larger and more powerful boats capable of carrying more people and potentially making the Channel crossing more difficult to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Britain said France will deploy a 45-officer &#8220;surge team&#8221; to beaches in the coming weeks to strengthen efforts against migrant launches. Burnham also said the overall number of French officers involved in efforts to tackle Channel crossings would rise to nearly 1,050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The British government said the two leaders agreed that the progress achieved through bilateral cooperation would need to be expanded across Europe to create a stronger deterrent against irregular migration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The issue remains politically sensitive in Britain, where successive governments have faced pressure to reduce Channel crossings while balancing migration enforcement with international obligations toward asylum seekers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Britain seeks closer EU relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The meeting also underlined Burnham&#8217;s efforts to improve Britain&#8217;s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The British prime minister has built on efforts begun by his predecessor, Keir Starmer, to establish closer cooperation with the bloc. However, Burnham has not supported returning Britain to the EU&#8217;s single market or customs union, nor restoring the bloc&#8217;s freedom-of-movement rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I think 10 years on from Brexit, people here are fed up with the (lack of) vision; people see that we need to work closer together,&#8221; Burnham said. Macron has similarly called for a closer relationship between Britain and Europe, while acknowledging that London and Paris do not always share the same views.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham with President of France Emmanuel Macron\" class=\"wp-image-37540\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/France-Macron-UK-Burnham.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham with President of France Emmanuel Macron. (Image Credit: X\/@EmmanuelMacron)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The French president said the two countries &#8220;do not always see eye to eye&#8221; but &#8220;we respect one another, remain open to discussing everything, including advancing the UK reset with the European Union&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The talks also touched on concerns over the EU&#8217;s &#8220;Made in Europe&#8221; industrial agenda. Downing Street said the policy could create challenges for British industry, particularly the country&#8217;s struggling steel sector, as the EU seeks to strengthen domestic production and protect strategic industries within the bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The issue illustrates one of the difficulties facing efforts to improve UK-EU relations: Britain wants closer economic and political cooperation while remaining outside the EU&#8217;s core structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Ukraine and European Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ukraine was another central issue in the discussions, with Burnham reaffirming Britain&#8217;s continued support for Kyiv in its war against Russia. The British prime minister made Ukraine his first overseas destination last month, signaling that support for Kyiv would remain an important part of his foreign policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Macron and Starmer had previously worked closely within the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine, and Macron&#8217;s discussions with Burnham suggest that cooperation between London and Paris on European security is likely to continue under Britain&#8217;s new government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Macron also highlighted British support for Ukraine during a speech at the British Museum on Wednesday, including the release of information to Kyiv concerning components for the long-range SCALP missile, the French-produced counterpart to Britain&#8217;s Storm Shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London\" class=\"wp-image-36167\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ukraine-France-UK-Germany-leaders-meeting.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London, UK, on June 7, 2026. (Image Credit: X\/@ZelenskyyUa)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Downing Street said the two leaders discussed the next steps toward establishing local assembly lines in Ukraine for SCALP missiles. Such cooperation could deepen Europe&#8217;s role in supporting Ukraine&#8217;s military capabilities while strengthening industrial links between Britain, France and Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The leaders also discussed efforts connected to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and wider security developments in the Middle East, although Macron did not provide details about the new initiatives; he said the two sides would consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said the countries would discuss &#8220;new initiatives&#8221; in the Middle East, adding another area of cooperation to an already broad bilateral agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>Symbolic Backdrop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The talks came one day after Macron and Burnham joined King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a preview of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nearly 1,000-year-old tapestry, which depicts William the Conqueror&#8217;s Norman conquest of England, was loaned by France to Britain for an exhibition that opened in London after arriving in July. The showcase is scheduled to run until July 2027. Burnham described the French loan as a &#8220;huge personal gesture of goodwill, trust and friendship.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It shows what collaboration can achieve,&#8221; Burnham told Macron, pointing to cooperation between the two countries on the tapestry as well as on Ukraine, migration and the UK&#8217;s relationship with the EU.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Side by side, as it should be. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1ERdLghJKe\">pic.twitter.com\/1ERdLghJKe<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EmmanuelMacron\/status\/2095273926368641192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 2, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Macron played a major role over nearly a decade in securing the loan, making the exhibition a significant cultural gesture between the two countries. The project has also been viewed as a symbol of efforts to move beyond tensions that followed Britain&#8217;s decision to leave the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exhibition provided a backdrop of historical cooperation as the two governments seek to build a new phase in bilateral relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Macron&#8217;s visit was particularly significant as he enters the final months of his presidency, which is scheduled to end in May 2027. It was also the first time Burnham hosted an EU leader at Downing Street since becoming prime minister, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Macron described the bilateral relationship as a &#8220;very special relationship&#8221; and later wrote that defense, energy, support for Ukraine and European security had become more important than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Together with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, we are continuing this work towards a stronger, more sovereign and more secure Europe,&#8221; Macron said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The talks demonstrated that Britain and France are seeking to expand cooperation across several areas despite Britain&#8217;s continued decision to remain outside the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Migration enforcement, European security, support for Ukraine and economic relations are likely to remain central to the relationship as London attempts to establish closer ties with Brussels without reversing Brexit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discussions also showed the breadth of the UK-France relationship, extending from border security and defense cooperation to industrial policy and cultural diplomacy. Both governments now face the challenge of turning the renewed political momentum into practical agreements while managing differences over Britain&#8217;s long-term relationship with the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham, right, speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during a bilateral meeting\" class=\"wp-image-37541\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron-meeting.jpg?w=1763&amp;ssl=1 1763w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Britain&#8217;s Prime Minister Andy Burnham, right, speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, during a bilateral meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, on September 3, 2026. (Image Credit: Leon Neal\/via X)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>British Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with French President Emmanuel Macron for the first official talks at Downing Street on September 3, 2026, focusing on closer UK-European relations, illegal migration across the English Channel, support for Ukraine and security issues in the Middle East.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[62,1],"tags":[211,24,357,64,241,71,113,61,22,365],"class_list":["post-37529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","tag-britain","tag-eu","tag-europe","tag-france","tag-migrants","tag-politics","tag-security","tag-uk","tag-ukraine","tag-united-kingdom"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-9Lj","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/UK-Burnham-France-Macron.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37529"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37543,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37529\/revisions\/37543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}