Macron, Starmer Set to Hold Talks on English Channel Migrant Crisis
(MENAFN) French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Wednesday, as both leaders face growing political pressure to address the escalating migrant crisis in the English Channel.
The high-level meeting follows a media report alleging that Macron privately faulted Starmer for exacerbating the situation by making the UK more appealing to asylum seekers.
The Elysee Palace, however, strongly rejected those claims, stating: "The French president looks forward to working with the Prime Minister constructively on this shared priority."
Central to the talks will be Starmer’s proposed “one in, one out” migrant arrangement, which would see the UK return small boat arrivals to continental Europe in exchange for taking in asylum seekers with established ties to Britain.
Macron arrived in the UK on Tuesday, marking the first state visit by a European Union leader since Brexit. His trip includes a series of diplomatic and cultural engagements aimed at reinforcing Franco-British ties.
On Wednesday, Macron and Starmer are scheduled to attend both a UK-France business forum and a special event at the British Museum. Their spouses, Brigitte Macron and Lady Victoria Starmer, will participate in the visit as well, joining for tea and a Downing Street tour before the group convenes for a private lunch.
At a state banquet held Tuesday evening at Windsor Castle, King Charles III urged the UK and France to “lead the way” in confronting “complex threats,” reaffirming the strength of the bilateral relationship.
During his address to UK lawmakers, Macron emphasized the need for joint action on migration, saying: “France and the UK have a shared responsibility to address irregular migration with humanity, solidarity and fairness,” and describing the crisis as a “burden” for both nations.
He added that Thursday’s upcoming Franco-British summit is expected to yield “co-operation and tangible results on these major issues.”
Despite existing collaboration between London and Paris to curb illegal crossings, UK officials have continued to urge France to intensify efforts to block migrant departures along Channel coastlines.
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