British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Saturday, convened a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Cornwall, United Kingdom (UK) on the sidelines of the G7 meet, which saw the participation of both leaders.
According to a press release by the UK government, the two leaders discussed the need to strengthen the UK’s diplomatic partnership with France by bolstering cultural, economic, and security cooperation. They also talked about issues of mutual concern, including migration across the English Channel, and agreed to bring an end to criminal activities of smugglers that result in dangerous and unnecessary crossings across the Channel.
Also read: France, UK Collaborate to Stop Migrants from Crossing the English Channel
However, the discussions were not free from controversy. According to Reuters, the pair sparred after Macron suggested that Northern Ireland was not a part of the UK. In response, Johnson enquired what the President would do if French courts blocked shipments of Toulouse sausages to Paris. Following this, according to Elysee Palace, “The president said that Toulouse and Paris were part of a single geographic area and that Northern Ireland was on an island. Hence, the comparison wasn’t justified."
Also read: EU Initiates Legal Action Against the UK Over Northern Ireland Controversy
Besides Macron, Johnson convened meetings with several other leaders on the sidelines of the G7 meet. On Sunday, he met South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss enhancing bilateral security and defence ties in the Indo-Pacific. Johnson also communicated his support to South Korea’s position in the Korean peninsula. The two leaders discussed the need to improve literacy rates among women, with Johnson extending his support to Moon’s “Global Partnership for Education.” The pair also highlighted the need to pursue climate action and preserve biodiversity. In preparation for the COP26 Summit in November, they discussed the need to reduce coal dependence and move towards a new green industrial revolution. Being some of the world’s most industrialised countries, South Korea and the UK have been facing pressure to make tangible steps to highlight their commitment to climate action.
On the same day, Johnson convened a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. During their discussion, the leaders highlighted the need to enhance their partnership by bolstering trade and investment ties and the importance of committing to clean and sustainable economic growth. Johnson also spoke to Ramaphose about the UK’s decision to meet the global demand for COVID-19 vaccines. For this, he reiterated his commitment to contribute to the COVAX program and donating 100 million surplus vaccines across the world. Ramaphosa had previously spoken of the need to cooperate on vaccine procurement and distribution in a statement released by his office on Saturday.
On Sunday, Johnson held a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to extend the UK’s support to a stronger and more integrated UN. In particular, he applauded the announcement during the World Health Assembly calling for a pandemic treaty to encourage international collaboration during future pandemics and agreed to strengthen the G7’s support on this issue. They also talked about the COP26 Summit and other global concerns, including Yemen, Syria, Libya, Cyprus, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
Johnson also convened a discussion with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen European Council President Charles Michel. During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing Northern Ireland controversy and committed to resolving the outstanding issues between the bloc and the UK. Johnson also reiterated the UK’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Similarly, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Johnson discussed the UK’s commitment to its obligations under the Northern Ireland protocol and several issues of mutual concern, including China and Russia’s aggressive activities that attempt to destabilise the international order.
The PM also met American President Joe Biden and Australian Prime minister Scott Morrison to discuss cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, specifically in light of the changing “strategic context”, hinting at China’s growing aggression in the region. Biden and Morrison, who also see their countries participating in the Quad alliance in the Indo-Pacific, welcomed the UK’s visits and exercises in the region.
A day before, Johnson and Biden laid down the terms of an Atlantic Charter, which seeks to enhance cooperation on several issues, including democracy, human rights, multilateralism, defence and security, trade, health, science and technology, and climate action.
The meetings held on sidelines of the G7 are of particular significance to the UK, which seeks to establish bilateral ties with its allies following its exit from the European Union.