Today, I will welcome President Emmanuel Macron to Britain for the summit of the European Political Community – and together the United Kingdom and France will mark a new chapter in our shared history.

In the face of the huge challenges before us all, the new British government believes it is not just important to deepen our cooperation – it is essential. So we are determined to reset our relationship with Europe and to put our bilateral relationship on a new footing as well.

The venue for today’s summit – Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the birthplace of Winston Churchill – is itself a reminder of our shared story. Eighty years ago last month, Free French forces landed on Sword Beach in Normandy alongside British soldiers. They were ready to give their lives together in the name of peace, freedom and democracy – the values that still unite us today.

Unchanging values

In fact, this year marks another important anniversary in our shared history – 120 years of the Entente Cordiale. It’s true, we are no longer united through the EU, but we are united by so much – as partners in the G7, allies in NATO, colleagues on the UN Security Council and champions of those enduring values.

But this applies at a more human level too. The British and French people are neighbors, fellow Europeans and friends. We share common interests and common passions like sport, art and literature – the whole cultural alphabet from Arsenal to Zola – the things that brighten our lives. Excitement is already building across the UK for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. In all these ways, and more, the spirit of the Entente lives on.

So as we meet today, we will bring that spirit to meeting the new challenges before us. President Macron and I will discuss the most pressing issues facing our continent and the world – from European security to the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, to climate change and illegal migration.

I never thought that in my lifetime I would see the rumble of war rolling across Europe. I never believed that any leader would choose such a senseless and destructive path. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has made that choice – and we must continue to meet him with total resolve.

Our two nations are pillars of European security and stability, and so we have a particular responsibility to respond. That’s why we will continue to support Ukraine. It’s why our troops stand side-by-side guarding NATO’s eastern flank. And it’s why we want to deepen cooperation between our defense industries. We can never allow aggression to prevail on our continent.

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