London, Jul 8 (AP) French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Britain on Tuesday for a state visit that combines royal ceremonies with complex political discussions aimed at curbing migrant crossings of the English Channel via small boats.
During his visit, Macron, alongside Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will work on advancing plans for a post-ceasefire security force for Ukraine, even amid perceived US indifference and Russia's ongoing aggression.
This three-day visit, invited by King Charles III, marks the first state visit to the UK by a European Union head of state since Brexit. It signifies the UK government's aspirations to mend and strengthen ties with the bloc, following the country's contentious departure in 2020.
The French president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, will receive a grand reception at Windsor Castle, featuring a horse-drawn carriage ride, a military honor guard, and a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla. This follows the British royals’ state visit to France in September 2023.
Macron will also address both houses of the UK Parliament in the Royal Gallery before engaging in discussions with Starmer on key issues like migration, defense, and investment.
A UK-France summit scheduled for Thursday will see senior officials tackling the persisting challenge of small-boat crossings, a complex problem for governments on both sides of the English Channel.
Although Britain sees fewer asylum-seekers compared to Mediterranean European nations, thousands attempt to reach the UK from northern France by stowing away in trucks or making the perilous journey by boat across the busy Channel.
Efforts over the years have seen the UK strike various deals with France to bolster beach patrols and intelligence-sharing to disrupt smuggling operations, yet these measures have had only limited success. Approximately 37,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats in 2024, the second-highest after 46,000 in 2022. More than 20,000 have crossed in the first half of 2025 alone, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. Tragically, dozens have lost their lives attempting the crossing.
Starmer, leader of the center-left government elected last year, has committed to dismantling the smuggling networks. His strategy involves intensified collaboration with France and nations along the migration trail from Africa and the Middle East, alongside deals with individual countries to repatriate failed asylum seekers.
The UK has urged French police to take more decisive actions against boats, welcoming recent interventions involving the slashing of rubber dinghies.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper praised France for “introducing important new tactics” to deal with boats already in the water, and the UK is pushing for further measures to allow interventions in deeper waters, a proposal currently under French consideration. However, migrant rights advocates and police unions caution that such actions may pose risks to both migrants and officers.
Starmer’s spokesperson, Tom Wells, acknowledged that some proposed strategies are “operationally and legally complex,” underscoring the ongoing collaboration with France.
Despite their aligned efforts in rallying support for Ukraine, Macron and Starmer have differed in their approaches to US President Donald Trump, with Macron adopting a more confrontational stance compared to Starmer's conciliatory approach.
The UK and France are leading the charge to establish an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine, reinforcing a potential ceasefire with European troops and equipment alongside US security guarantees.
Trump has shown minimal interest in this initiative, and a ceasefire remains elusive. However, British officials assert the "coalition of the willing" concept is still viable, with Macron and Starmer set to join an international videoconference on Thursday to deliberate on this initiative.
On Monday, Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding “significant progress” by military planners, according to Starmer's office. (AP) NSA NSA
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