UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first official talks on Thursday, with migrant boats, Ukraine and British-EU relations high on the agenda. Burnham, in charge since July 20, and his wife Marie-France van Heel welcomed the French leader and First Lady Brigitte Macron outside the famous black door of No. 10 Downing Street. Inside, Burnham told Macron he looked forward to discussing the Ukraine conflict, stopping small boat crossings of migrants from France to England and "strengthening the UK-EU relationship". Macron said it was a "very important moment" for relations between the two countries, adding that they would also discuss "new initiatives" in the Middle East, without elaborating. "I'm here with a willingness and a commitment to get closer and closer," he told Burnham. Macron becomes the first European Union leader hosted at Downing Street by Burnham, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited in July. For Macron the visit is significant as he approaches the final months of his presidential term, set to end May 2027. Thursday's meeting came a day after the two leaders met for a preview of the tapestry's exhibition at the British Museum, along with King Charles III – an event both sides hailed as symbolic of positive ties. Read moreMacron urges France, UK to forge closer bond as Bayeux Tapestry goes on display in Britain 'Work closer' Burnham is eager to build on his predecessor Keir Starmer's efforts to forge closer post-Brexit cooperation with the European Union as he aims to boost sluggish UK growth. He has said Britain must be "bolder" in getting closer to the EU but has refused to scrap Starmer's rejection of rejoining the bloc's single market or customs union and returning to its internal freedom of movement rules. "I think 10 years on from Brexit, people here are fed up with the (lack of) vision, people see that we need to work closer together," Burnham told journalists late Wednesday. Macron said Wednesday that Paris and London "do not always see eye to eye" but "we respect one another, remain open to discussing everything, including advancing the UK reset with the European Union". Downing Street said the leaders would also focus on tackling the "emerging use of mega dinghies", or larger more powerful boats bringing irregular migrants to England's south coast. In coming weeks, a "surge team" of 45 French officers will be deployed on beaches to tackle such launches, Downing Street said. The UK recorded the lowest number of small boats carrying migrants crossing the Channel this summer since 2019, the government said Monday, touting the success of its enforcement deal with France.