Image reproduced from Taiwan News

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit the UK on the 8th for a three-day state visit. During this visit, he will hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and deliver a significant speech in the UK Parliament. This marks him as the first leader of an EU nation to undertake a state visit to the UK since its Brexit in 2020.

This visit underscores the warming ties between France and the UK and signals Britain's active stance toward reintegrating into Europe. Macron is visiting London at the invitation of King Charles III, where he will address Parliament before meeting with Sunak for a Franco-British summit, further emphasizing their special relationship.

The press release from the French Presidency notes that the "common interests" between France and the UK are the primary topic of discussion, with their collaborative relationship being crucial for international society. An analysis from The Guardian cites that the diplomatic deadlock caused by Brexit began to ease during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sunak. Earlier this year, King Charles III also made his first visit to France, where Macron proclaimed, "Long live the Franco-British friendship!".

However, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues and the threats from Russia toward Europe intensify amidst the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, showcasing unity and collaboration between the UK and France becomes increasingly important, especially given the vague positions of the US government towards Europe.

Additionally, Macron and Sunak are expected to announce new measures regarding immigration on the 10th, aimed at reducing the risks of illegal immigrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats. This issue remains a major point of contention between the two nations, with over 21,000 migrants already having made the perilous journey from northern France to southeastern England this year alone.