Macron first foreign leader to visit Burnham at Downing Street

French President Emmanuel Macron became the first foreign leader to visit UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street since Burnham took office six weeks ago. Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were received by Burnham and his wife, Marie-France van Heel, outside the residence on Thursday. The two couples posed for photographs before the leaders went inside for bilateral discussions.

Downing Street said stemming the flow of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats would top the agenda. The UK government noted that enhanced law enforcement cooperation between Britain and France has contributed to a more than 40% reduction in such crossings this year compared with the previous year.

The meeting followed Macron's engagement with King Charles III on Wednesday, when the two leaders, accompanied by Burnham, viewed the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. The 1,000-year-old embroidery, on loan from France for a 10-month exhibition, has been described by Burnham as "a landmark moment in the history of our two nations."

Talks were also expected to cover the conflict in Iran and Russia's war in Ukraine. France and the UK have been at the forefront of efforts to bolster European support for Ukraine, and Burnham has pledged to maintain British backing for Kyiv. The Prime Minister has also indicated a desire for closer ties with the European Union, attributing what he called "a decade of low growth" in Britain to Brexit.