LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed that tackling cross-Channel migration should be a top priority, as Downing Street warned that the situation is “deteriorating.”

In a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, the two leaders held wide-ranging talks on key international and bilateral issues, including the Middle East, Ukraine, and defense cooperation.

According to a Downing Street readout on Tuesday, both leaders acknowledged the worsening situation in the English Channel, where small boat crossings have surged in recent weeks.

They committed to stepping up joint efforts on migration and pledged to work closely with other international partners to explore “innovative ways” to make progress on the issue.

Starmer and Macron also looked ahead to the UK-France Summit, due to be held in July, and said their respective teams should pursue “high-ambition outcomes” that deliver tangible results for both British and French citizens.

The pair discussed the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and reaffirmed their shared commitment to finding a path to peace through diplomacy and dialogue. They agreed that the issue should be a central focus for G7 leaders during the remainder of the summit.

On Ukraine, Starmer and Macron reiterated their enduring support for the country and stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The leaders also discussed strengthening existing defense and security ties, with Downing Street describing the upcoming summit as an “opportune moment” to deepen cooperation between the two countries.