May, Macron ink border deal

Sandhurst, January 19 

Prime Minister Theresa May and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed a new border security deal, through which the UK will pay more to France to stop migrants trying to reach British shores.

May also confirmed the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France, a historic work depicting the Norman conquest of England which she said would come to Britain in 2022 for the first time in over 900 years.

The two leaders, meeting for wide-ranging talks at the Sandhurst military academy near London, agreed that the UK will pay an extra £44.5 million (50 million euros, $62 million) for fencing, CCTV and detection technology in Calais and other Channel ports.

“The further investment we have agreed today will make the UK’s borders even more secure,” May said during a press conference with Macron.

While the two countries cooperate closely in numerous areas, including intelligence and defence, differences over migration have often strained ties. The money is on top of more than £100 million already paid by Britain, following a request by Macron to contribute more cash.

At a press conference, May said she was “honoured” by the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry and the French President added he hoped it would open “a new chapter” for cultural and scientific co-operation.

“We are somehow making a new tapestry together,” Macron said, rejecting any suggestion that it was intended to remind Britain of a victorious France.

The loan has been met with opposition by French experts who have warned about the delicate state of the 70-metre (230 ft) long embroidery.

The tapestry, which shows the English King Harold being killed by an arrow in the eye at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, is believed to have been created within years of the battle. The leaders capped the summit at an evening reception at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, where they spoke of celebrating the two countries’ shared history and values.

The UK-France summit came as Britain tries to strengthen bilateral ties before leaving the European Union in March 2019.

While Brexit was not scheduled for formal discussion, Macron said Britain’s decision to leave the European Union would lead to some “short-term uncertainties”. — AFP

Choreographed display of cordiality

• There were choreographed events at the meeting depicting the strong bond between both the nations, including a loan to Britain of the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry and a lunch visit to a Michelin-starred pub in May’s own constituency in the southern English town of Maidenhead

• But the decision by France to loan the more than 900-year-old tapestry fell flat in Britain’s eurosceptic media. “What a stitch-up! Did borrowing the Bayeux Tapestry cost Britain 45 million pounds more to stop migrants at Calais?” the Daily Mail asked.

• ‘The Sun’ mocked up the depiction of how William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 as a tale of the EU trying to stop Britain leaving the bloc

French no to giant Channel bridge

• France on Friday politely rejected Boris Johnson’s idea of building a giant bridge across the English Channel after Brexit, saying that, while far-fetched ideas were worth considering, there were plenty of major European projects to finish first

• Foreign Secretary Johnson, who led the campaign to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum, broached the idea of building a 22-mile Channel Bridge during a visit to Britain by Macron, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported

• The Telegraph said Johnson believed a privately funded 22-mile bridge might now be an option, and would support increased tourism and trade after Brexit. It was unclear how such a bridge might work in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes