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President Emmanuel Macron has asked Great Britain and France to move away from Brexit and “side” to work and explain “side by side” in questions such as migration and defense: “Do not let us allow the channel to continue to grow”.
Macron, who appealed to both houses of parliament at the beginning of a three -day state visit to Great Britain, said that Brexit was “deeply regrettable”, but insisted that “this alliance” has become stronger in recent years.
He said, although Great Britain was no longer in the EU, it couldn’t be on the edge of Europe. He swore that the two countries would “deliver” together in combating illegal migration.
During the first state visit of an EU leader since Brexit, Macron mapped joint interests for defense, trade and migration and argued that the two countries shared a “special responsibility” for the security of Europe.
“There is an expectation in Europe that is faced with revisionist neighbors. Our two countries have a special responsibility for the security of the continent,” said Macron. “And it’s time to articulate it.”
We were talking about an effort by the French guide to show a united front with Great Britain, since the two countries face challenges, including an expansionist Russia and an increasingly isolated Trump government in the United States.
He said that the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU is “a decision that we respect, even if we keep it deeply regrettable”, and added that the relationship with Great Britain has improved in recent years.
However, there are still clear departments between the two countries.
A migration contract against asylum seekers has not yet returned to France, and Macron was accused by some British politicians not to do enough to tackle them irregular migration.
Macron said that “hope for a better life is legitimate elsewhere”, but he added that we could not allow our rules to be used for the admission of people “. He said that it was crucial for Great Britain and France to work with third countries in order to disturb the flow of migrants in the entire continent.
There were other recent tensions. France struck a hard border with Great Britain in the recent talks about an EU/UK deal, especially with an EU/UK About fishing rights But also on the conditions of access for British companies to a new EU parade fund.
But Macron said it was important to continue to rebuild relationships, including the establishment of a new youth mobility scheme, which is planned in the EU/UK pact agreed in May.
“Don’t let us allow us to be wider,” said Macron and argued for “exchange for students, researchers, artists”. MPs and colleagues were still applause when he said that “our children should have the same opportunities we had”.
Macron’s speech on the first day of his state visit was a forerunner of a round of the state pagantry and political discussion, including a state banquet, which was organized by King Charles in Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening.
“We love monarchy, especially when she is not at home,” joked Macron.
In the appeal to continue the approach, he added: “After all, we meet again. And let’s make sure that we will meet again for decades. We are connected to our future together. Go together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, this is our common fate.”