France’s Macron eyes reset of ties with UK in early 2023 defence summit

Macron unveiled the summit while laying out his strategic defence priorities for France and Europe in the coming years

France also plans to revamp its partnerships and operations in Africa, where its forces have been helping local governments contain Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel region for the past decade

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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech at the French Navy base of Toulon, southern France on November 9. Emmanuel Macron unveils the country’s military strategy through the end of the decade for his nuclear-armed country, in the midst of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Photo: AP

Published: 10:39pm, 9 Nov 2022

Britain and France will hold a summit in the first quarter of 2023 aimed at reinforcing their military and defence cooperation, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday.

Macron unveiled the summit while laying out his strategic defence priorities for France and Europe in the coming years, not least in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a growing international assertiveness of China.

“Our partnership with the United Kingdom must also be raised to another level,” Macron said on board a helicopter carrier at the Mediterranean naval base at Toulon.

“I hope that we will actively resume our dialogue on operations, capacities, nuclear and hybrid areas and renew the ambitions of our two countries as friends and allies,” Macron said.

French President Emmanuel Macron leaves after delivering a speech on defence strategy to present the La Revue nationale strategique. France also plans to revamp its partnerships and operations in Africa, where its forces have been trying to help local governments contain Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel region for the past decade. Photo: EPA-EFE

France is banking on a reset with Britain under its new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, following years of tense relations under Boris Johnson and later Liz Truss.

Macron also insisted on the need for deeper military cooperation with Germany, and “indispensable partner” for building up Europe’s military autonomy.

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