LThe invitation was launched late by the Elysée. Keir Starmer's arrival in Paris for the November 11 ceremonies went well beyond the historical tribute to the soldiers who died during the Great War. While France and the United Kingdom celebrate the 120th anniversary of their Entente Cordiale this year, the British Prime Minister has above all come to give substance to his project of rapprochement with the European Union (EU) and its main member states.
At a time when Donald Trump's return to the White House is shaking a large part of the European continent, the Labor leader, at odds with the elected Republican, is hurrying to renew ties damaged by years of arguments of all kinds. about Brexit.
The approach is particularly aimed at France, itself keen to turn the page on this almost decade of “cordial disagreement”. Since coming to power in July, the approach of Mr. Starmer, a supporter of remaining in the EU during the 2016 referendum, has been viewed favorably in Paris. His desire to overhaul relations with the continent contrasts with the harshness of exchanges with former conservative heads of government, from Theresa May to Boris Johnson.
Deep down, however, France remains on its guard. She refuses to amend the agreements which governed the United Kingdom's exit from the EU. Michel Barnier, then chief Brexit negotiator in Brussels facing Her Majesty's governments, is not the least attentive to this subject, just like Emmanuel Macron. Unlike Germany, always keen to streamline trade, Paris does not intend to make concessions in this area.
“A special responsibility”
On the other hand, the French authorities hope to step up their efforts in terms of defense cooperation, at a time when Europeans are wondering how to resist the Trump storm, which is looming on the horizon, once he takes power on the 20th. January. “France is among the most hostile to reopening the Brexit agreements, but London and Paris are forced to play the rapprochement for geopolitical reasons against Russia”observes Sébastien Maillard, special advisor to the Jacques-Delors Institute, associated with the Chatham House think tank in London: “France and the United Kingdom have an interest in talking about something other than fish and feel a particular responsibility for the continent. »
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