French President Emmanuel Macron urged the UK to stick close to its neighbours on Tuesday despite its exit from the European Union, saying both countries will "save Europe" by standing for democracy, law and international order in a dangerous world.
On a state visit that mixed royal pageantry with tough political talks on Ukraine and migration, Macron said Europe must strengthen its economy and defences and reduce its dependence "on both the US and China."
Macron's three-day trip, at the invitation of King Charles, is the first state visit to the UK by a European Union head of state since Brexit and a symbol of the British government's desire to reset relations with the bloc after its withdrawal from the EU in 2020.
Macron addressed members of both houses of the UK Parliament where he said the two countries represent "a world order based on law, justice and respect for territorial integrity, an order that is today being attacked on a daily basis."
"The United Kingdom and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make all the difference," Macron said, adding that "we will save Europe by our example and our solidarity."
He said that even though Britain has left the EU, "the United Kingdom cannot stay on the sidelines. Because defence and security, competitiveness, democracy — the very core of our identity — are connected across Europe as a continent."
Tackling irregular migration with humanity
Macron told Parliament that the UK and France have a duty to tackle irregular migration with "humanity, solidarity and firmness."
An effective solution can only be reached "by continuing to work with the countries of departure and transit of global migration routes," Macron added.
He pointed out that the "Hope for a better life is legitimate" but that neither country could allow criminal gangs to "flout" the rules and exploit people.
Britain receives fewer asylum-seekers than many countries in the Mediterranean, but thousands of migrants each year use northern France as a launching point to reach the UK, either by stowing away in trucks or in small boats across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The UK has struck a series of deals with France over the years to increase patrols of beaches and share intelligence in an attempt to disrupt the smuggling gangs.
But those efforts have only had a limited impact.
According to the UK government, there were 44,125 irregular crossings via the English Channel in the year ending March 2025, a 14% increase compared to the previous year.
The Migration Observatory at Oxford University reported that from January to May 2025, there were approximately 14,800 small boat crossings, marking the highest number ever recorded during that period.
Macron said the leaders would try "to fix today what is a burden for our two countries."
Keeping Ukraine in focus
Starmer and Macron have worked closely together to rally support for Ukraine, though they have taken contrasting approaches to US President Donald Trump, with Macron more willing to challenge the American president than Starmer.
Britain and France have led efforts to form an international peacekeeping force for Ukraine to reinforce a future ceasefire with European troops and equipment and US security guarantees.
Trump has shown little enthusiasm for the idea, however, and a ceasefire remains elusive.
British officials say the “coalition of the willing” idea is alive and well, with Macron and Starmer due to join an international videoconference on Thursday to discuss planning for the force.
Macron said the coalition was a sign that “Europeans will never abandon Ukraine – never.”
