Crowning a long alliance, the UK and France still need each otherhttps://en.majalla.com/node/290831/politics/crowning-long-alliance-uk-and-france-still-need-each-other
France’s President Emmanuel Macron attended the coronation of King Charles III, after a royal trip to Paris was cancelled in late March due to a wave of social protests there.
This high-profile French presence at the London ceremony is a sign of the current warmth in a historically varied relationship between France and the United Kingdom. The neighbouring European countries have been both allies and adversaries over the centuries, oscillating between conditions of friendly alliance and fierce competition.
Right now, France and the UK need each other to meet common challenges and defend their interests and values.
Right now, France and the UK need each other to meet common challenges and defend their interests and values.
During the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, there was a strong affection and deep political ties between the two nations. Close observers of the Élysée Palace says that her successor, now crowned, and President Macron, are united by "friendship, trust, and historical ties".
Tumult in recent times and in history
Nonetheless, the relationship between the two nations has been tumultuous, not just over history, but recently too.
It took a hit from Brexit, when the UK voted in 2016 to leave the European Union and pulled out in 2020, with the elements of its exit agreement covering Northern Ireland redrawn in 2023.
In 2021, there was a further shock from the so-called 'Aukus' agreement. Struck between the US, the UK and Australia, this nuclear submarine defence pact led to the cancellation of a deal relating to the same technology between France and Australia.
There has also been the occasional spat between the UK and France over a range of issues, from immigration to fishing rights. Clashes became particularly obvious during Boris Johnson's time as prime minister. He was known for a stubborn approach to cross-Channel relations, which were especially strained over a perceived lack of effectiveness in France at combatting illegal migration over the narrow sea between the nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron, (right), and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak talk during a joint news conference at the Elysee Palace on March 10, 2023 in Paris.
Sunak and Macron
Since then, relations have become more cordial. The time Liz Truss spent in 10 Downing Street laid the groundwork for reconciliation. Further progress was made when her successor, Rishi Sunak, met President Macron at the 36th Franco-British summit in Paris in March.
While the meeting produced few clear policy measures, it marked a turning point in the bilateral relationship, with an agreement on a "new beginning and new ambition".
With the wider influence of the Western powers in decline and war raging in Ukraine, there is renewed focus on the bilateral cooperation necessary between London and Paris to confront risks and maintain the vitality of their relationship.
The March summit was an important moment for the young leaders. It marked Rishi Sunak's first bilateral summit since becoming prime Minister in October 2022. It provided an opportunity for him to demonstrate that Europe remains at the heart of his government's concerns and to pursue his ambition of strengthening the UK's cooperation with EU member states.
For President Macron, the summit showed his desire to maintain a leadership role in Europe and it came after a year after France hosted a meeting of the 27 members of the EU in Versailles, without the UK after the Brexit vote.
While the meeting produced few clear policy measures, it marked a turning point in the bilateral relationship, with an agreement on a "new beginning and new ambition".
Defence remains an important part of the bilateral relations across the English Channel. There is continued emphasis on the commitments of the Lancaster House Treaties, reached in November 2010, and a continued desire to work together, particularly in developing the next generation of naval and anti-ship missiles and mutually operable combat aircraft systems.
French, British and American paratroopers training together in south of France on Novembre 14, 2018.
Historic roots prove resistant to change
Despite the negative effects of Brexit, the links established between France and the United Kingdom since the reign of Queen Victoria, between 1837 and 1901, have proven resilient.
This period helped dismiss older and more troubled history, such as the Hundred Years' War between the nations and the crucial role played by the UK in the defeat of Napoleon in 1815.
The new era of cooperation that began was crowned by the Entente Cordiale struck between the UK and France's Third Republic. This cooperation was further reinforced with a series of bilateral agreements in 1904.
While the UK went on to play a significant role in rescuing France during the two World Wars, a political rivalry between them resumed when General Charles de Gaulle twice blocked Britain's accession to the forerunner of the European Union.
While the UK went on to play a significant role in rescuing France during the two World Wars, a political rivalry between them resumed when General Charles de Gaulle twice blocked Britain's accession to the forerunner of the European Union.
De Gaulle remained sceptical on the UK's place within Europe, even after London sheltered him during World War II when he was leader of Free France. The French statesman had a patchy relationship with the wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill.
The UK's great leader also had doubts over his country's inclinations to its near neighbours, saying: " "If we have to choose between the continent and the open sea, we shall always choose the open sea."
Such sentiments reflect the UK's primary focus on the United States, which has, at times, led to a sense of caution and distrust in Franco-British relations. And it seems clear that the UK's exit from the European Union confirmed de Gaulle's view, and the UK's priorities.
The Brexit bombshell
The consequences of the British exit from the EU continue to reverberate. Not least, it revealed fault lines with neoliberal globalisation and was a turning point of sorts. Difficult questions about the UK's future position in the world remain, with hopes that a Global Britain and a Singapore-on-Thames would emerge, stoked by Brexit supporters, have been dashed and at times the country's departure has felt like a nightmare.
Anti-Brexit activists waving EU and Union flags as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in central London on January 21, 2019.
But Paris and London have never been in full agreement. They are used to finding areas of mutual understanding as they face future challenges, with the next set potentially focused on foreign policy and relations with nations further from their shores, not least in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Paris and London have never been in full agreement. They are used to finding areas of mutual understanding as they face future challenges, with the next set potentially focused on foreign policy and relations with nations further from their shores, not least in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Conditions for continuity in cordial relations
Closer to home, there are a range of factors that make continuity in cordial relations between London and Paris likely, not least relating to languages.
English the first foreign tongue taught to over 95% of French high school students, while French is also the second most widely spoken language in the UK.
Then there is geography. London is only two hours and fifteen minutes away from Paris by train, facilitating economic and cultural ties. That helps economic links. Around 3,600 French companies operate in the UK. The only bigger foreign presence in British business is the US.
Militarily, the two countries are the main powers in Western Europe. Their forces are allied, with unified standards for their respective armies, particularly in joint infantry strength. They both have wide and compatible capability in defence.
At the European level, both nations continue to share converging interests, up to and including major international crises, not least the war in Ukraine. Both are in Nato and Paris and London are accustomed to formulating joint approaches to global strategic matters.
Wider priorities and a potential flashpoint
London prioritises the Indian and Pacific Ocean region, which may be developing into the world's new geopolitical power centre, as well as a major economic bloc in its own right.
This could be the new arena to test the two countries ability to co-operate. President's Macron's recent visit to China and his nod toward strategic independence for Europe points in that direction.
Whatever else may develop, it is likely that the newly crowned King Charles III will visit France in September. The occasion will present an opportunity to open a new page in a rich and complex historical relationship between the two countries.
