UK and France ‘are making a new tapestry’
Macron stands firm on financial services
THE UK and France are “making a new tapestry together”, Emmanuel Macron said as he agreed new co-operation on defence and measures to tackle the migrant crisis with Theresa May.
The talks saw Mrs May commit tens of millions of pounds to strengthen UK border controls in France, while Mr Macron confirmed the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain.
But the French President indicated he would stand firm on the issue of financial services during the Brexit negotiations, saying he was “here neither to punish nor reward” the UK following its decision to leave the European Union.
Mr Macron was making his first visit to Britain yesterday since entering the Elysee Palace and was greeted at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, with a guard of honour from the Coldstream Guards.
A new treaty between the two countries will now enable the improvement of security at Calais, in a move that could cost the UK about £45m.
The treaty will also allow an acceleration in the processing of migrants seeking to come to the UK via Calais, with a reduction from six months to one month for adults and 25 days for children. Mr Macron said that the current situation in Calais was “not satisfactory”. But he said the new treaty would allow him to fulfil his 2016 vow that after Brexit “migrants will no longer be in Calais”.
THERESA MAY has pledged tens of millions of pounds to strengthen UK border controls to tackle the migrant crisis in Calais as she welcomed Emmanuel Macron for his first visit to Britain as French president.
The talks saw the pair agree the new co-operation on defence on the French border, as Mr Macron confirmed the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain.
A newly signed treaty between the two nations will now allow for the improvement of security at Calais, in a move that will cost the UK about £45m.
It came as Mr Macron indicated that France will not give in to British demands for the financial services sector to be covered by a Brexit trade deal.
In a sign of how difficult forthcoming trade talks will be, he stressed the UK would have to abide by European legal jurisdiction and contribute to the Brussels budget if the City of London is to be covered by a deal after Britain leaves the European Union.
Speaking during the top-level summit at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, the Prime Minister insisted the strength of the City of London benefited both sides in the Brexit talks,
Responding to expectations of further British contributions to security at Calais, Ukip MEP Nigel Farage criticised the pledge of more cash and said the UK were “giving a bit too much”.
He told BBC News Channel: “We do appear to be picking up all the bill for a problem that, to be frank, the French haven’t handled very well.
“We have put over £100 million into this over the last three years. If we have agreed to another £44 million, and on top of that to take an as yet undetermined new number of migrants, it seems to me we are giving a bit too much in this relationship.”
Mrs May defended the decision to commit extra resources to Calais. She said: “This is in our national interests, it is also in the interests of France to ensure that we have as secure a border as possible at Calais and other ports.”
The French president, making his first visit to Britain since entering the Elysee Palace, was greeted at Sandhurst with a guard of honour from the Coldstream Guards.
The choice of venue was appropriate as the countries committed to closer defence and security co-operation between “Europe’s two foremost military powers”, Mrs May said.
The treaty will also allow an acceleration in the processing of migrants seeking to come to the UK via Calais, with a reduction from six months to one month for adults and 25 days for children. It came as Mr Macron said that the current situation in Calais was “not satisfactory”. But he said the it would enable him to fulfil his 2016 vow that after Brexit “migrants will no longer be in Calais”.
He said: “We can either manage the border together or it will be a disastrous situation. It is not a gift for France. It is some joint management.“
Brexit loomed over the summit, with Mr Macron saying he regretted the British decision to leave, even if he respected the will of the British people.
Asked why he wanted to exclude financial services from a future UK-EU free trade agreement, Mr Macron said: “I am here neither to punish nor to reward.
“I want to make sure that the single market is preserved because that is very much the heart of the EU.
“The choice is on the British side, not on my side. But there can be no differentiated access for the financial services.”
“If you want access to the single market – including the financial services – be my guest. But it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge European jurisdiction.”
Mrs May restated her call for a deep and special partnership and comprehensive trade agreement between the UK and EU after Brexit.