Partnership ‘crucial’ to tackle virus

PM and Macron in talks at Number 10 over path to recovery from pandemic

A PARTNERSHIP between Britain and France will be “crucial” in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic, the leaders of the two nations have agreed following Downing Street meetings about economic recovery.

Boris Johnson was reportedly set to discuss an easing of coronavirus measures in talks yesterday, amid suggestions French president Emmanuel Macron would call on the Government to revisit a two-week quarantine.

Mr Macron, in his first foreign visit since the Covid-19 outbreak, was in London to honour the 80th anniversary of General Charles de Gaulle’s “Appel” historic broadcast to occupied France.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the leaders had begun talks by reflecting on the sacrifice seen in the Second World War and on the “enduring strength” of the UK-France relationship.

“They highlighted the modernday successes of this friendship including the political and defence co-operation enshrined in the Lancaster House Agreement 10 years ago,” she said.

“They agreed that the partnership between our countries will be crucial in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring the global recovery is green and sustainable.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the Government wants to “open up” the UK when it “safely and responsibly” can, adding ministers are looking “very carefully” at the measure.

“As we’ve always said, the quarantine is there to stop the risk of reinfection precisely because we’ve got Covid down,” he said.

Asked why it is in place when UK infection rates are higher than France, he told Sky News: “It’s not quite as simple as that though, because we’ve seen in

Europe and in Asia, as countries come out of lockdown, the risk of second waves and second spikes. But we will look at all the factors very carefully. We want to open up as soon as we safely and responsibly can and we will look at all the mechanisms to do so, and of course we’ll have a good conversation with the French.

“I’ll be in Berlin tomorrow so we’re talking to all of our European partners about these things.”

Mr Macron’s visit was to commemorate the 80th anniversary of de Gaulle’s “Appel” rallying broadcast to occupied France following the Nazi invasion.

In an impassioned speech he

Prime Minister Boris Johnson. thanked London for giving his Second World War countrymen and women a voice and platform to fight Nazi tyranny, bestowing France’s highest order of merit, the Legion d’Honneur, on the city.

He was welcomed for the brief visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who greeted the visiting president with a namaste gesture, clasping the palms of his hands together.

“Your presence here today, Mr President, is a powerful demonstration of the bond between our two countries, and between our people, and of our shared determination that it must endure,” Prince Charles said.

“It is a bond forged through common experience, sanctified through shared sacrifice and burnished by the deep affection in which we hold each other.

“Time and again our countries have stood together against tyranny and oppression, joining arms to defend the values we hold most dear.”

Listening to the open-air address were French and British dignitaries including the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Mr Johnson said: “Eighty years ago, Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the French Resistance, arrived in London knowing that the values of freedom, tolerance and democracy that Britain and France shared were under threat.

“He pledged that we would stand together to defend those values and protect our citizens from those bent on destroying us.

“The four men we are honouring today – Pierre, Edgard, Daniel and Hubert – symbolise the enduring depth and strength of the friendship between our two countries.

“The struggles we face today are different to those we confronted together 80 years ago. But I have no doubt that – working side by side – the UK and France will continue to rise to every new challenge and seize every opportunity that lies ahead.”

The UK and France will continue to rise to every new challenge.