Meeting with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

President Macron had a meeting with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at the Elysée Palace today, Thursday 29 August 2024.

The Head of State and the British Prime Minister began by discussing the situation in Ukraine. They agreed that it was essential to continue supporting the Ukrainians for as long as necessary to guarantee the defence and security of the country and the whole continent.

The two leaders also spoke about the situation in the Middle East and expressed their utmost concern over the rising tensions in the region. The President and Prime Minister will continue their discussions with counterparts in the region, to call on all parties to de-escalate. They also reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire, which would enable the hostages to be released and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

In line with their discussion at the end of the European Political Community summit in Blenheim on 18 July, the President and Prime Minister also spoke about the prospects for the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Finally, the two leaders reaffirmed their desire to deepen bilateral relations, in particular in the fields of defence, security and energy. They also decided to deepen their cooperation on illegal migration in the Channel, in particular in the face of human-trafficking rings.