LONDON, July 09 (V7N) — French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the United Kingdom to support the recognition of a Palestinian state and reaffirmed Europe’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine during a landmark state visit to Britain — the first by a European leader since Brexit.

In a rare and symbolic address to both houses of the British Parliament on Tuesday, Macron emphasized the need for renewed cooperation between France and the UK on global challenges including defense, trade, climate change, migration, and geopolitical stability.

“Britain and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make a big difference,” Macron declared. “The only way to face the challenges of our time is to move forward shoulder to shoulder.”

Rebuilding Post-Brexit Ties

Macron’s three-day state visit, held at the invitation of King Charles III, marks a significant effort to reset Franco-British relations following years of political tension stemming from the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The French president was received with full honors by members of the British royal family, including Prince William and Princess Catherine, and was escorted in a traditional horse-drawn carriage to Windsor Castle.

During his speech, Macron welcomed what he described as a “restoration of close ties” and urged both nations to “de-risk” their economies and societies from over-dependence on the United States and China.

Call for Recognition of Palestine

One of the boldest parts of Macron’s address was his appeal for British cooperation in recognizing Palestine as an independent state. He argued that this was “the only way to bring peace” to the war-torn region and called for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.

The French leader’s remarks come at a time of increasing pressure on Western nations to reassess their positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

Firm Commitment to Ukraine

Macron reaffirmed that Europe would “never abandon Ukraine”, underscoring continued Franco-British support for Kyiv in its war with Russia. He stressed the importance of joint defense strategies and mutual investments in European security capabilities.

Youth, Technology, and Culture

Beyond geopolitics, Macron emphasized the importance of easing student, researcher, and artist mobility between the two nations. He called for expanded collaboration in artificial intelligence, education, and online child protection.

A New European Chapter

Macron’s state visit is seen as a pivotal moment for both nations as they attempt to redefine bilateral relations in the post-Brexit era and face the challenges of a changing global order.

Analysts say the visit reflects Macron’s broader vision for a stronger and more autonomous Europe — one capable of addressing regional and global crises without overreliance on global superpowers.

Source: Al Jazeera

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