The French-British summit was held in London this month, which has sparked excitement and enthusiasm around the age-old alliance between the two nations. The talks between the two nations have given rise to a newfound relationship between the countries’ leaders, which the press has jokingly called ‘Le Bromance’. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron spoke during the summit, discussing their countries’ economies, Brexit, and their future cooperation and relationship. With a history of close relations and cross-cultural influences, the summit marks an exciting time for the two countries.
A Brief History of France and the UK
The relationship between France and the United Kingdom has a rich history, stretching back to the Middle Ages. During their early years, the two countries formed strong alliances and developed a deep cultural bond. As the centuries passed, trade and migration brought the countries even closer together. The two countries fought together in numerous conflicts, including the two world wars. During the 1950s, the two nations formed the European Economic Community (EEC), which was the precursor to what is now the European Union.
The French and British economies are both heavily intertwined. Many British companies are headquartered in France and vice versa. The two countries are also major trading partners; the British government estimated that France was the UK’s largest trading partner in 2019.
Brexit
Brexit has been an ongoing issue for the UK and France for the past three years. Negotiations have been ongoing between the UK government and the European Union, both of which France is a member of. After the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, the UK and France worked together to establish a withdrawal agreement. The deal was signed in 2019 and was passed into UK law in 2020.
The agreement established that the UK and European Union would remain in a close economic relationship, and that the UK would be granted tariff-free access to the EU’s single market. It also set the terms of a ‘divorce’ sum between the two sides and established future ways of cooperation between the two nations.
Key Moment of The Summit
The France-UK summit has seen plenty of important moments but perhaps the most significant was the unveiling of the ‘Le Vel d’Hiv’ memorial. The memorial commemorates the historic event that saw French police officers round up thousands of Jewish people in Paris in 1942 and hold them in an internment camp until they were transferred to the German death camp, Auschwitz. It serves as a reminder of the dark history between the two countries and a sign of hope and reconciliation. It was unveiled by both French and British leaders; a key moment in the summit.
Benefits of the Summit
The France-UK summit stands to benefit both countries in a number of ways:
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The Summit will strengthen the bond between the two countries. The talks between the nations’ leaders have highlighted the ages-old connections and ties between the two nations and showcased the willingness of both countries to work together in order to ensure their mutual success.
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The Summit will boost the economies of both countries. Talks between the two leaders have established the pathway for cooperation between the two countries and paved the way for potential investments and further trade deals.
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The Summit will pave the way for future cooperation. The two sides discussed future ways of cooperation between the two nations, which could lead to geopolitically beneficial alliances.
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The Summit will help to keep the UK in the European Union. The UK and France had previously struck a post-Brexit trade agreement and the Summit helped to further solidify ties between the two nations.
The France-UK Summit has served to strengthen the two countries’ 30-year-old relationship and set the stage for exciting future opportunities for both countries. The ‘Le Bromance’ between Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson has shown the strength of the bond between the two nations and put an end to centuries of rivalries. The summit marks an exciting time for French and British relations, as the two nations look forward to further healthy cooperation and a prosperous future.
