Sunak and Macron discuss immigration and Ukraine as they restore relations between the countries

Written by Michelle Rose and Alistair Smoot

PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, hoping to deepen cooperation between the two countries on immigration and Ukraine and cement a fresh start in the relationship after years of disagreements over Britain’s exit from the European Union.

At the Paris talks, Sunak, who became prime minister in October, hopes to capitalize on renewed optimism to end years of tension over issues ranging from immigration to fishing.

Bilateral relations, which have become more tense since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, have been boosted by the countries’ support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and the meeting is seen as an opportunity to further deepen ties.

A French presidential adviser said, “The priority of this summit is to restore contact.”

The meeting also comes as relations between the UK and the EU have also improved in light of the Windsor Framework – a new deal with the bloc aimed at resolving issues around Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements.

Later this month, King Charles will also travel to France for his first state visit as monarch.

Sunak and Macron struck up a personal connection at the COP27 summit in Egypt in November during their first face-to-face meeting two weeks into Sunak’s premiership, with the intimacy described as “Le Bromance” in British newspapers.

In November, Britain and France signed a €72.2m deal to step up efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from making dangerous journeys across the English Channel.

(Reporting by Michel Rose in Paris and Alistair Smoot in London)