French president Emmanuel Macron responded positively to remarks by UK politician Andy Burnham about potential British return to the European Union.
Speaking at a news conference in Madrid on Wednesday alongside Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez, Macron said "Welcome back" in English, then added in French: "If the British want to come back and if the prime minister is moving in that direction, I think that is very good news, both for his country and for the Europeans."
Burnham had previously suggested the UK could rejoin the EU. Macron's comments represent the first public signal from a major EU leader welcoming such a prospect.
The remark carries diplomatic weight. Macron holds one of Europe's most influential positions and France traditionally shapes EU policy on British relations. His characterization of potential UK rejoinment as beneficial "for his country and for the Europeans" suggests openness to future negotiations on the terms of any return.
The timing aligns with broader shifts in UK political discourse around Brexit. Whether Macron's comment reflects official EU position or his personal view remains unclear from the available reporting.