Macron-May talks - as it happened: ‘If you want access to single market, be my guest’
UK-France Summit to take place at military academy, with Brexit high on the agenda
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Emmanuel Macron has finished a joint a news conference with Theresa May telling his counterpart if Britain wants access to the single market then “be my guest”.
Asked why he wanted to exclude financial services from a future UK-EU free trade agreement, Mr Macron said: “I am here neither to punish nor to reward.
“I want to make sure that the single market is preserved because that is very much the heart of the EU.
“The choice is on the British side, not on my side. But there can be no differentiated access for the financial services.
“If you want access to the single market - including the financial services - be my guest. But it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge European jurisdiction.
“Such are the rules, and we know the system already in place for Norway.”
The French President and a number of his ministers were attending the UK-France Summit at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.
The two leaders also confirmed the Bayeux Tapestry would come to Britain on loan after 950 years in France.
A bit of Brexit-related news as we await the May-Macron press conference: the European Commission has announced it will move a key piece of satellite infrastructure from the UK to Spain as a result of Britain leaving the EU. Jon Stone reports from Brussels:
As we (continue to) await that press conference, here's the traditional team photo of Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron and some of their ministers ahead of the UK-France Summit at Sandhurst earlier...
The press conference has now started - with a small bit of French from Theresa May, welcoming Emmanuel Macron.
She says the relationship has always gone beyond defence and security - today they have agreed ways to build on ties.
After Brexit, she says, we will remain steadfast allies. "We are Europe's two foremost military powers.
"We've agreed that UK-France cooperation remains critical to European defence."
She says we can confirm the UK-France force will be ready to deploy 10,000 troops immediately to combat a threat by 2020.
The PM since the last UK-France summit we have seen appalling terrorist attacks. To tackle this shared threat for the first time in shared history all the intelligence heads in both countries were brought together before the summit.
This cooperation, she says, is keeping citizens safe in both countries. May adds they both stand committed to Le Touquet agreement
The UK and France share a determination to stop the people smugglers who seek to profit from the misery of others, she adds.
"Our trade relationship continues to thrive after" the vote to leave the EU last year, May says.
The UK France relationship is about far more than a balance sheet, she adds.
She confirms the Bayeux Tapestry will come to the UK after 950 years on French shores.
“Our shared history is reflected in the loan of the Bayeux
Tapestry to the UK in 2022, the first time it will be on British soil in more than 900 years.
“The loan of the Tapestry will form part of a wider cultural exchange taking place between Britain and France over the next four years.
“I am honoured at the loan of such a precious piece of our
shared history which yet again underscores the closeness of the UK-France relationship.”
Emmanuel Macron is now speaking (in French).
He says both countries will work together, in particular on Iran, which is a topic of great concern.
He says they also spoke about their strategic relationship. Macron says they are working on cutting edge technology, including combat drones.
Macron says there have been some major developments in the European defence fund and this will continue.
He says he visited Calais recently and on the ground he could see the existing difficulties. He says they have signed a new treaty - the Sandhurst Treaty.
He says one major part of the Treaty will address unaccompanied children. He said what people are going through in Calais is "not satisfactory" - hopes Sandhurst Treaty will improve the situation.
On Brexit, he says he respects the decision by the British public but regrets it.
Macron adds these discussions should not prevent a high level of cooperation and relationship between France and the UK. He says there may be some difficulties in the short term but will remain deep.
"We are in 2018, commemorating 100 years of the end of World War One. So many British and French people died."
This is why he says the country is loaning the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK - there will be beyond it a lot of scientific cooperation. It is fragile and has never travelled abroad in nearly 1000 years.
The PM is now taking questions.
Macron is asked whether British Prime Minister's will be lesser on the world stage after Brexit. Macron says it is not for him to assess the importance of future Prime Ministers on the world stage.
He says the UK will remain a member of the security council and continue to work with its neighbours.
"We are stronger together," he says.
May says the UK border in Calais is in the interest of both countries. She says she doesn't want to see a return to the number of migrants in Calais.
We need to work together to reduce the numbers, the PM says, adding the UK has taken in unaccompanied minors from Calais.
"I am very clear is what we are working together for is a secure border".
Macron says the Le Touquet agreement is a bilateral agreement and "nothing to do with Brexit".
"I certainly did not suggest there should be nothing left," he says, adding that the so-called Jungle has been dismantled in Calais.
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