“A diplomatic masterstroke
,” according to
The Daily Telegraph
.
“A considerable result”
, according to
Le Figaro.
To discover
PODCAST - Listen to the club Le Club Le Figaro Idées with Eugénie Bastié
It is relatively rare for diplomats for their work to have such an impact. It is even rarer for this recognition to stand the test of time.
Yet today, 120 years later, we can only note the importance of the establishment of a Cordial Entente between our two countries.
The texts themselves echo their times by dealing in detail with compromises over colonial conflicts. But our governments, through these compromises, were committed to the unity of our interests and our desires, as a British newspaper indicated at the time, undoubtedly laying the foundation allowing two neighbors to establish a deep friendship.
Over these 120 years, our countries have repeatedly reiterated this commitment.
We did it in the darkest times: the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale coincides with the 80th anniversary of the landings in Normandy and Provence and the liberation of France that followed.
We did it when it came to in-depth transformation: 2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel, a true technical feat which allows constant flows of travelers between our two countries.
We did this in 2010 by proudly signing the Lancaster House Treaties. And we did it again last year by organizing the thirty-sixth Franco-British Summit the same year that President Macron received His Majesty King Charles for a memorable state visit.
And we did it in 2003, by signing the Treaty of Le Touquet, then in 2018, with the Treaty of Sandhurst, thus creating an unprecedented framework for cooperation in security and the fight against irregular immigration.
This firm attachment to our friendship highlights the fact that it is the foundation of our security and prosperity. Over the past one hundred and twenty years, we have not only formed a deep friendship, we have also contributed to building a better world.
The history of friendship between our two countries should inspire us with optimism for the future. Faced with the many destructive conflicts that persist, we must together seize the opportunities that arise from our partnership.
Stéphane Séjourné and David Cameron
We are living in dark times again. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has entered its third year, causing significant repercussions for European and Euro-Atlantic security. Conflict and instability in the Middle East persist, with effects that are deeply felt in our own societies. Climate change poses a considerable challenge on a global scale.
The history of friendship between our two countries should inspire us with optimism for the future. Faced with the many destructive conflicts that persist, we must together seize the opportunities that arise from our partnership.
Last week, we met in Brussels as NATO celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of its creation. As founding members and nuclear powers of Europe, France and the United Kingdom have a key responsibility to ensure that the Alliance meets the challenges of our time. Our forces are deployed together in Estonia, demonstrating our commitment to our Allies and our contribution to maintaining the Alliance as the keystone of European security.
Together, France and the United Kingdom will reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine at the European Political Community Summit to be held at Blenheim Palace in July. We will also contribute to the success of the NATO Summit which will be held in Washington this summer.
We say it loud and clear: Ukraine must win this war. If Ukraine loses, we all lose. The cost of failing to support Ukraine today will be far greater than the cost of pushing Putin back.
France and the United Kingdom are proud of the support provided to Ukraine, from unprecedented sanctions to coordinated deliveries of the first SCALP and Storm Shadow long-range missile systems. Just last month, the first Ukrainian pilots completed training at the Royal Air Force and began training with the Air and Space Force as part of a program designed to strengthen Ukrainian capabilities for piloting modern F-16 fighter jets.
France and the United Kingdom cannot solve these problems alone. But together, we can mobilize other countries to join our efforts to fix it.
Stéphane Séjourné and David Cameron
But, as we discussed at the Paris Conference in February, we must do even more to ensure Russia's defeat. The world is watching us...and will judge us if we fail.
We must also continue to cooperate on other international issues.
We are robust partners in the fight against terrorism and extremism. While condemning Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine, we expressed solidarity with the Russian people following the horrific violence of the Islamic State group's attack on Crocus City Hall.
We must also remain unwavering in our vital action to combat climate change and develop carbon-free energy systems. Together we launched a new roadmap for international biodiversity financing, which helps mobilize the private sector in favor of nature, and we remain committed to achieving the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We are also committed to reforming the international financial system so that it does more to help vulnerable countries become more resilient to climate shocks.
France and the United Kingdom cannot solve these problems alone. But together, we can mobilize other countries to join our efforts to fix it. It is as vital that we do this today as it was important for our predecessors to overcome their differences and establish the enduring friendship that we celebrate today, not only in memory of the Entente Cordiale but also to mark a renewed Agreement.