French media: Macron's visit to the UK carries significant political implications, with both sides set to discuss topics such as the "voluntary alliance"

Source: Global Times

【Global Times Correspondent in France Yu Chaofan】 French President Macron will make a three-day state visit to the UK from the 8th to the 10th. According to AFP on the 6th, during the visit, Macron will hold bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Starmer and co-chair an important meeting on the Ukraine issue. This visit is seen as an opportunity for the UK and France to restart political trust and practical cooperation.

French President Macron (Visual China)

The Ukraine issue, immigration issues, European defense, and other topics are expected to be the main contents of the UK-France consultations. According to information from the French presidential palace, this visit is the first state visit by a head of state of an EU member state to the UK since the UK's official "Brexit". AFP said that this visit has a high political significance - Macron's visit earlier than planned in September to US President Trump's visit to the UK sends a "strong signal", indicating Starmer's willingness to restart relations between the UK and Europe.

According to the itinerary published by French media, Macron will give a speech at the British Parliament on the 8th. On the 10th, Macron and Starmer will jointly chair the "Volunteer Alliance" meeting to discuss further support for Ukraine's defense. Leaders from multiple countries, including Ukrainian President Zelensky, will participate via video. Macron has already clearly expressed his willingness to discuss with EU partners the path of deploying French nuclear weapons. The "Volunteer Alliance" is led by the UK and France, and the participants have differences on whether the US should provide military support and whether ground forces should be deployed to Ukraine.

The UK Daily Telegraph quoted government sources from the UK and France saying that Macron is expected to also discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the issue of recognizing the State of Palestine with Starmer. The report stated that the UK and France have differences on the "speed and manner" of recognizing the State of Palestine, with Macron wanting to announce recognition as soon as possible, while the UK is cautious.

The issue of illegal immigrants crossing the English Channel has always been a problem for the relationship between the UK and France. According to reports, more than 21,000 illegal immigrants have crossed the channel from northern France to southeast England this year using makeshift boats.

AFP said that Macron will have in-depth discussions with the UK on immigration management during the meeting. Both sides are expected to announce new joint measures after the talks, including expanding the French police's interception authority and promoting the migration exchange mechanism across the channel, to further combat smuggling.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524102565982667305/

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