{
  "id": 10966749,
  "title": "France and Spain welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham’s speech",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/france-and-spain-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after-burnhams-speech",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T15:01:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3369380/france-and-spain-welcome-idea-uk-rejoining-eu-after-burnhams-speech"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed their welcome to the idea of the UK rejoining the European Union (EU) following a speech by newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. President Macron praised the move, stating that it is \"very good news both for his country and for the Europeans.\" Sanchez echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Spain would \"certainly welcome\" a returned Britain and open its arms to the \"brotherly people\" with whom Spain shares strong relations.\n\nThe leaders' positive remarks come in the wake of Burnham's proposal to outline potential relationships with the EU at a UK-EU summit later this year. Burnham outlined three options during an interview with the BBC, including rejoining the EU, rejoining the single market, or entering a customs union. European officials, however, have expressed caution regarding the UK's interest in rejoining, emphasizing that it is now up to the UK government to demonstrate its commitment through concrete actions.\n\nDespite the optimism surrounding Burnham's speech, preparations for an EU-UK summit in November are already underway. The summit, initially scheduled for July but postponed due to the resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will focus on three main elements: linking EU and UK carbon markets, agreeing on food and agriculture trade, and a youth mobility program for both travel and work.\n\nWhile relations between the UK and the EU have improved since the 2024 Labour government's election, challenges remain, particularly concerning UK concerns about forthcoming \"Made in Europe\" legislation from Brussels. The EU's Industrial Accelerator Act aims to prioritize local sources in public money and investment decisions, which has raised concerns among allies like the UK, Japan, and Switzerland. Additionally, the EU has pushed back on the UK's interest in participating in key meetings related to farming and food standards, as well as carbon and electricity markets, citing the UK's lack of right to such participation under its current arrangement.",
  "summary": "The European Union would embrace the UK if it ever decided to rejoin the bloc, the leaders of Spain and France said shortly after new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham floated the possibility. “Welcome back,” French President Emmanuel Macron quipped in English, speaking Wednesday in Madrid alongside Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is hosting the leader on a two-day visit. “This prime minister is…",
  "key_points": [
    "French President Macron welcomes UK rejoining EU, calls it very good news",
    "Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez echoes Macron's sentiment, welcomes returned Britain",
    "Leaders' positive remarks follow UK Prime Minister Burnham's proposal"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Macron says 'welcome back' after Burnham floats UK return to EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/macron-says-welcome-back-after-burnham-floats-uk-return-to-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-30T14:01:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Macron says ‘welcome back’ after Burnham floats UK’s return to EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/macron-says-welcome-back-after-burnham-floats-uks-return-to-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-30T14:30:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "REPLAY: France's Macron calls for 'stronger Europe' on Spain trip",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/replay-frances-macron-calls-for-stronger-europe-on-spain-trip",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:01:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Olive Press",
        "title": "Spain would welcome Britain back into EU ‘with open arms’, Sanchez says during Macron visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/spain-would-welcome-britain-back-into-eu-with-open-arms-sanchez-says",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Andy Burnham says Britain could consider rejoining European Union",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/andy-burnham-says-britain-could-consider-rejoining-european-union",
        "published": "2026-09-30T16:08:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "France's Macron, Spain's Sanchez welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/frances-macron-spains-sanchez-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after",
        "published": "2026-09-30T17:34:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}