Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron hold a joint news conference in Paris. Migrant crossings are likely to be the main topic of discussion at the France-UK summit.

Sunak and Macron hold joint news conference at Paris summit

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to Paris to attend a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders are expected to flesh out agreements on migrant crossings, energy security and protecting people from the threat of Russia.

Macron welcomes Sunak, focus on bilateral relations, migration and military ties

France President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (May 18) welcomed African leaders for a summit in Paris. The summit is aimed at finding ways to finance African economies that are hurt by COVID-19 pandemic.

"Africa has all it takes to succeed. It has a youth, a productive force, and the ability to take on challenges, such as the climate and food emergencies in particular, if we, collectively, decide to propose a new deal," Macron said.

The summit is part of Macron's efforts to recast France's engagement in Africa, where it was once a colonial power, at a time the continent faces a near 300 billion dollar deficit by the end of 2023 while trying to recover from the downturn.

About 30 African and European heads of state, as well as heads of financial institutions like International Monetary Fund have come together in the summit.

"We are gathered here to reverse what has developed as a very dangerous divergence between advanced economies and developing countries, especially Africa," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. "We have to go back to the strong development Africa had before COVID, for Africa and for the rest of the world."

The African Development Bank estimates that as many as 39 million people could fall below the poverty line this year with many African countries at risk of debt distress because of the pandemic.

Macron has said he believes Africa needs a "New Deal" to give the continent a breath of fresh air.

World finance chiefs agreed in April to boost reserves (SDR) at the International Monetary Fund by $650 billion and extend a debt-servicing freeze to help developing countries deal with the pandemic, although only $34 billion will be allocated to Africa.

The replenishment of the World Bank's International Development Association, which provides emergency aid, private sector investment, and the broader question of how to treat the debt crisis will be discussed.

(With inputs from agencies)

France President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (May 18) welcomed African leaders for a summit in Paris. The summit is aimed at finding ways to finance African economies that are hurt by COVID-19 pandemic.

France President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (May 18) welcomed African leaders for a summit in Paris. The summit is aimed at finding ways to finance African economies that are hurt by COVID-19 pandemic. "Africa has all it takes to succeed. It has a youth, a productive force, and the ability to take on challenges, such as the climate and food emergencies in particular, if we, collectively, decide to propose a new deal," Macron said. The summit is part of Macron's efforts to recast France's engagement in Africa, where it was once a colonial power, at a time the continent faces a near 300 billion dollar deficit by the end of 2023 while trying to recover from the downturn. About 30 African and European heads of state, as well as heads of financial institutions like International Monetary Fund have come together in the summit. "We are gathered here to reverse what has developed as a very dangerous divergence between advanced economies and developing countries, especially Africa," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. "We have to go back to the strong development Africa had before COVID, for Africa and for the rest of the world." The African Development Bank estimates that as many as 39 million people could fall below the poverty line this year with many African countries at risk of debt distress because of the pandemic. Macron has said he believes Africa needs a "New Deal" to give the continent a breath of fresh air. World finance chiefs agreed in April to boost reserves (SDR) at the International Monetary Fund by $650 billion and extend a debt-servicing freeze to help developing countries deal with the pandemic, although only $34 billion will be allocated to Africa. The replenishment of the World Bank's International Development Association, which provides emergency aid, private sector investment, and the broader question of how to treat the debt crisis will be discussed. (With inputs from agencies)

Paris Summit: Macron calls for investment, good governance in Africa

Prime minister Modi arrived at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-macron-attend-g7-as-he-begins-three-nation-tour-france-uae-and-bahrain-244742">Charles de Gaulle airport</a> in Paris on Thursday evening ahead of the G-7 meeting.

PM Modi will be meeting French President Macron in a short while and the two leaders are due to appear in a joint press conference. It will be PM Modi's fifth meeting with the French President.

PM Modi had visited France two year ago and had followed it up with a visit to Paris last year. The Indian prime minister had met President Macron on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina and Japan in December 2018 and June 2019, respectively.&nbsp;

On Friday morning, PM Modi will be meeting French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and address the Indian diaspora at the UNESCO headquarters.

The Indian prime minister will also be inaugurating memorials for Indian victims of the air India crash in Nid D'Aigle. The memorial commemorates two tragic air crashes of Air India flights 245 and 101 in 1950 and 1966 respectively.&nbsp; 
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Prime minister Modi arrived at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris on Thursday evening ahead of the G-7 meeting. PM Modi will be meeting French President Macron in a short while and the two leaders are due to appear in a joint press conference.

Prime minister Modi arrived at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris on Thursday evening ahead of the G-7 meeting. PM Modi will be meeting French President Macron in a short while and the two leaders are due to appear in a joint press conference. It will be PM Modi's fifth meeting with the French President. PM Modi had visited France two year ago and had followed it up with a visit to Paris last year. The Indian prime minister had met President Macron on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina and Japan in December 2018 and June 2019, respectively. On Friday morning, PM Modi will be meeting French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and address the Indian diaspora at the UNESCO headquarters. The Indian prime minister will also be inaugurating memorials for Indian victims of the air India crash in Nid D'Aigle. The memorial commemorates two tragic air crashes of Air India flights 245 and 101 in 1950 and 1966 respectively.

PM Modi arrives in Paris, set to meet President Macron shortly

Britain cited &quot;reservations&quot; over Sunday&#39;s Middle East peace conference and refused to sign a joint statement that called for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A Foreign Office spokesman said the British had &quot;particular reservations&quot; about the meeting in Paris taking place without Israeli or Palestinian representatives, &quot;just days before the transition to a new American president&quot;.

Britain had therefore attended the talks as an observer only, the spokesman said.

The British refusal to send a high-level delegation to Paris was widely viewed as a sign of London&#39;s determination to stay close to Donald Trump&#39;s incoming administration.

Most major EU countries sent their foreign minister to the conference, but Britain&#39;s Boris Johnson did not attend.

The Foreign Office spokesman said Britain &quot;will... look forward to working with the parties, the new US administration and other countries represented in this conference to make progress in 2017 and beyond.&quot;

French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned Sunday that if Trump carried out his campaign pledge to move the US embassy in Israel to the contested city of Jerusalem, it would have &quot;extremely serious consequences&quot;.

The Palestinians have warned that such a move could seriously threaten their chances of obtaining an independent state.

(AFP)

Britain had attended the talks as an observer only

Britain cited "reservations" over Sunday's Middle East peace conference and refused to sign a joint statement that called for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A Foreign Office spokesman said the British had "particular reservations" about the meeting in Paris taking place without Israeli or Palestinian representatives, "just days before the transition to a new American president". Britain had therefore attended the talks as an observer only, the spokesman said. The British refusal to send a high-level delegation to Paris was widely viewed as a sign of London's determination to stay close to Donald Trump's incoming administration. Most major EU countries sent their foreign minister to the conference, but Britain's Boris Johnson did not attend. The Foreign Office spokesman said Britain "will... look forward to working with the parties, the new US administration and other countries represented in this conference to make progress in 2017 and beyond." French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned Sunday that if Trump carried out his campaign pledge to move the US embassy in Israel to the contested city of Jerusalem, it would have "extremely serious consequences". The Palestinians have warned that such a move could seriously threaten their chances of obtaining an independent state. (AFP)

UK voices 'reservations' over Paris summit, refuses to sign statement

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Sunak and Macron hold joint news conference at Paris summit

Macron welcomes Sunak, focus on bilateral relations, migration and military ties

Paris Summit: Macron calls for investment, good governance in Africa

PM Modi arrives in Paris, set to meet President Macron shortly

UK voices 'reservations' over Paris summit, refuses to sign statement