Macron says ‘welcome back’ after Burnham floats UK’s return to EU

French President Emmanuel Macron greeted UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's suggestion of Britain's potential return to the European Union with enthusiasm. In an English greeting, Macron said, "Welcome back." The French leader made the remark at a joint news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid.

Burnham, who became prime minister in July after Labour MPs ousted Keir Starmer, discussed the possibility of rejoining the EU in an interview. He suggested that rejoining the EU could be a key answer to the question of what Britain's future relationship with Europe might look like. Burnham's remarks came after he told his Labour Party's annual conference that he would outline different options for future ties with the European Union closer to a planned summit with the bloc later in the year.

Macron praised Burnham's boldness in considering such a move. He highlighted that the British had always been useful partners when the UK was part of the EU. Macron cautioned, however, that it was impossible to choose some of the union's benefits while rejecting others. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez echoed Macron's sentiments, stating that if the UK sought to rejoin the EU, Spain would welcome it wholeheartedly.