World News
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to host Emmanuel Macron for talks on migration and EU relations
The Downing Street meeting will introduce expanded French policing along launch coasts and touch on future UK-EU treaty negotiations.
The short version
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will host French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street on Thursday.
- The leaders are set to announce increased French law enforcement resources, raising officer counts in northern France to nearly 1,050 to deter Channel crossings.
- Talks will also cover broader UK-EU treaty renegotiations ahead of an expected summit in early November, alongside discussions on Ukraine and Iran.
Key facts
- French President Emmanuel Macron will be the first foreign head of state to visit Andy Burnham at Downing Street since Burnham became prime minister.[The Guardian]
- The leaders plan to announce an expansion of French police personnel addressing Channel crossings in northern France to nearly 1,050, including a 75-person land unit to seize equipment and make arrests.[The Guardian]
- The policing initiative also entails growing a dedicated intelligence unit from 18 to 30 officers and placing 45 officers along France's western coastline.[The Guardian]
- Burnham aims to seek French support for renegotiating aspects of the UK's treaty with the EU, pursuing improved trade terms for electricity and agricultural goods ahead of an expected November summit.[The Guardian]
- The agenda for the bilateral talks also includes international policy regarding Ukraine and the conflict involving Iran.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which Burnham will accept EU proposals on youth mobility and university fee parity remains uncertain, given his commitment to evaluate policies against the views of his constituency.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Andy Burnham targets migrant crisis ahead of Macron’s visit to No 10The Guardian - World