French President Emmanuel Macron called on Britain and France to “de-risk” their economies from U.S. and Chinese influence during an historic address to the UK parliament on Tuesday, signalling a renewed push for closer European cooperation.
Macron’s speech, delivered to both houses of parliament during a state visit, marked the first such address by a European leader since Brexit and highlighted a symbolic warming of ties under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new Labour government.
“The only way to overcome the challenges of our time will be to go together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder,” Macron told lawmakers, urging both nations to strengthen cooperation on defence, immigration, climate and technology.
He warned of the “excessive dependencies” on the United States and China, calling for the UK and France to work together to protect European sovereignty and resilience. “We need to de-risk our economies and our societies from this dual dependency,” he said.
The state visit began with a ceremonial welcome by King Charles III, who was joined by Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Catherine in Windsor. Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, showed signs of fatigue but continued with his engagements. A palace source said a burst blood vessel in his eye was unrelated to his condition and had happened that morning.
Macron also advocated for expanded mobility for students, researchers and artists, and joint efforts on Artificial Intelligence (AI) development and online child protection.
The three-day visit included several cultural and economic exchanges, notably the announcement of a £1.1 billion (€1.2 billion) investment by French energy provider EDF in a UK nuclear power station, and plans to lend the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years.
In parallel, UK and France are holding talks on a proposed asylum returns deal aimed at deterring cross-Channel people-smuggling. Britain has proposed a one-for-one returns mechanism, though France has so far resisted bilateral solutions, preferring EU-wide coordination.
Around 20,000 asylum seekers have crossed the English Channel so far this year according to latest figures from the Home Office.
In the first seven days of July last week, 1,135 irregular migrants attempted to cross the sea according to government officials - increasing pressure on Starmer's government, which trails Reform UK in recent polling.
Despite lingering differences, both governments have cooperated closely on Ukraine, with joint plans for a military force to support Kyiv if a ceasefire with Russia is reached.
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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
Global air travel remained in turmoil on Monday after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory strikes in the Gulf region prompted widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, disrupting one of the world’s most important aviation corridors.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's compound on Saturday that killed him, wife and other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
The UK said it's allowing the U.S. to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iran amid escalating missile attacks, after a suspected drone strike hit a British airbase in southern Cyprus, causing limited damage.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
European Union stands with its member states in the face of any threat, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in response to the drone strike that hit Britain's Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in southern Cyprus overnight.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 27th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Protests broke out in Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday after Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes. At least nine people were reported dead in clashes near the U.S. consulate in Karachi.
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