UK premier, Macron to hold talks on migrants, Ukraine war

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to meet on Thursday to discuss migrants and the Ukraine war, according to the French president's office. The leaders met for the first time on Wednesday at a preview of a Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum, which both hailed as a symbol of improved ties between the two nations.

Macron praised the 11th-century artwork for fostering a bond between France and England, centuries after the Norman conquest. Burnham emphasized that the talks would focus on tackling the use of larger boats for migrant crossings and noted that the UK and France need to respond quickly to smugglers' evolving tactics. Both leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, with Macron highlighting the release of information on SCALP missile components to the UK.

Discussions are also expected to cover Middle Eastern stability and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Macron expressed his desire to advance European sovereignty, independent of the United States, while Burnham aimed to build on his predecessor's efforts to strengthen UK-EU relations post-Brexit.