Macron and UK PM Burnham to hold first talks after meeting at British Museum

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will hold their first bilateral talks on Thursday, following a brief encounter the previous day at the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London’s British Museum. The meeting marks the inaugural face‑to‑face dialogue between the two leaders since Burnham assumed office, and it comes amid heightened scrutiny of cross‑Channel migration and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Officials said the agenda will focus on coordinated responses to migrant boat crossings in the English Channel, as well as joint strategies concerning the conflict in Ukraine. Both governments aim to align their policies on security, humanitarian assistance and regional stability, with the Thursday talks expected to produce actionable recommendations for further cooperation. The discussions will conclude with a joint statement outlining next steps for the Franco‑British partnership.