Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK included ceremonial events, followed by substantive discussions with Keir Starmer. They are expected to agree on measures to curtail small boat crossings in the Channel. However, the deal may not be as comprehensive as the UK government desires. France seeks a commitment from the UK to address factors attracting migrants. Macron requests action on the black market for labor and easier family reunification for asylum seekers as conditions for the agreement.
Macron wants Sir Keir to crack down on the UK's black market for labour and welfare payments and make family reunification for genuine asylum seekers easier as conditions for the deal.
The British government has been hoping to use the trip to show that its EU reset had borne fruit, including on the traditionally difficult subject of migration.
An Elysee source warned that Mr Macron expected measures addressing the root causes of the factors that attract people to the United Kingdom, adding: These causes must also be addressed by the British.
British officials have been hoping to sign a new deal that would involve Britain accepting asylum seekers who have a genuine family connection with the UK in return for being able to send others back to France.
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