Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham held his first bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Downing Street, focusing on critical issues facing both nations. Discussions centered around the ongoing challenge of small boat crossings in the English Channel, seeking collaborative solutions to address migration. The leaders also addressed defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. Burnham praised the importance of strong UK-EU ties during the meeting, signalling a desire for continued dialogue and partnership. This meeting marks a significant step in fostering direct engagement between regional UK leaders and key European counterparts. The talks aim to build on existing cooperation and find common ground on shared priorities. Further details of the discussions are expected to be released in the coming days.