France and Spain welcome possible UK return to EU

French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the possibility of the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union on Wednesday, after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said membership should be considered among options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the bloc. Burnham has not committed his government to seeking membership. Speaking at a joint news conference in Madrid, Macron said a British decision to return would be good news for the UK and Europe. Sánchez said Spain would welcome Britain back. Their remarks followed Burnham’s comments on the future of UK-EU ties, which reopened public discussion of a possible return but did not amount to a policy decision or application. Macron also cautioned that Britain could not remain outside the EU while selecting only the benefits of membership. He said closer integration would involve the freedoms and obligations of the union. Sánchez described Brexit as a loss for Britain and the European project, and said Spain would support a UK decision to seek membership. Burnham has said he wants to consider different options for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.