Macron Critiques Brexit, Strengthens UK-France Ties During State Visit

During his state visit to the UK, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of UK-EU cooperation despite Brexit, stating that the UK was stronger within the European Union and vice versa. Macron highlighted the need for both countries to work together on shared challenges including migration, defense, security, and economic issues, calling their partnership a 'game changer' for Europe and beyond. In talks with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, they focused on tackling small boat migrant crossings and agreed on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors such as technology, climate change, and AI. Macron underscored that even outside the EU, the UK cannot remain isolated due to interconnected interests in defense and democracy across Europe. His visit, the first by a European head of state since Brexit, aimed to reset and strengthen relations between the UK and France amid a volatile global landscape. The warm reception by British royalty and the ceremonial events contrasted with previous tensions, signaling a renewed spirit of solidarity and partnership.