President Macron emphasized his dedication to the “coalition of the willing,” an initiative led by the U.K. and France to support any Ukrainian ceasefire, stating that it signals Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine. He urged European leaders to advocate for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting the importance of avoiding double standards and stressing that recognizing Palestinian statehood is essential for peace.
This stance contrasts with the U.K.’s position, where Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed only hope that Palestinian statehood would be part of a peace process when questioned by MPs.
Macron and his spouse will attend a state banquet in Windsor on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Macron will engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, likely addressing illegal cross-Channel migration. Macron pledged enhanced cooperation to tackle this issue, condemning criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals.
Officials indicated that discussions about a potential “one in, one out” migration agreement between the countries are ongoing. Macron also revealed that France will lend the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum next year, humorously noting the project’s lengthy timeline compared to Brexit negotiations.
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