// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Andy Burnham praises UK-EU ties in meeting with Emmanuel Macron
Watch: Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron shake hands outside No 10
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has praised the UK-EU relationship as he holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about issues such as small boat crossings in the English Channel and defence.
The pair shook hands and posed for photographs alongside their wives outside 10 Downing Street on Thursday morning.
They are discussing "shared challenges" including the rise of "mega dinghies" crossing the Channel illegally, which the Conservatives say shows the UK government has failed to "smash the gangs".
Burnham said it was "so fitting" that Macron was his first overseas visitor in Downing Street since becoming PM in July, describing him as "our nearest neighbour and close friend Emmanuel".
Macron and Burnham are holding bilateral talks on a range of issues
"It shows what collaboration can achieve, just as we are also showing on Ukraine, on small boats, and also on strengthening the UK-EU relationship. So I look forward to discussing those themes further with you today," Burnham added.
Macron's visit to the UK was primarily to mark the Bayeux Tapestry's loan to the British Museum. The French leader met King Charles at the museum on Wednesday, ahead of the medieval tapestry going on public display next week.
In bilateral talks on Thursday, Burnham and Macron are discussing not just small boats but also the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as defence and EU co-operation.
The arrival of the first foreign leader under the Burnham premiership is an important symbolic moment - it shows the relationship with Paris is an important priority.