Written question asked by Lord Kinnock (Labour) on Monday, 9 December 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 December 2024. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Monday, 6 January 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

France: Foreign Relations

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements they have made to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the 1940 proposal for the establishment of the Franco–British Union in 2025.

Answer: 2024 has been a remarkable year for our bilateral relationship, with many successful joint engagements commemorating 120 years of the Entente Cordiale. These include the joint ceremonial events at Buckingham Palace and the Élysée Palace on 8 April, the Prime Minister and President Macron marking Armistice Day, and the inaugural Entente Littéraire Prize. Minister Doughty celebrated Bastille Day with the French Ambassador and met his counterpart in Paris for the Olympics. The Foreign Secretary also welcomed his counterpart to Carlton Gardens, near the Free French Headquarters established after the proposal for a Franco-British Union. We have no plans to mark this but look forward to further strengthening ties with France in 2025, including through the next bilateral Summit.

Secondary information