A major milestone in the partnership between France and the United Kingdom was marked today, with the entry into force of a Franco-British agreement aimed at tackling the scourge of Channel smuggling.
The landmark accord, which has been years in the making, sets out to break the economic model that fuels the smuggling rings exploiting the desperation of migrants and putting their lives at risk. By doing so, it sends a strong signal of deterrence to potential illegal immigrants, while reopening safe and legal access routes for those seeking to come to the UK.
The agreement is part of an overall push by France to tackle the issue of Channel smuggling, which has become increasingly notorious in recent years. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has welcomed the excellent cooperation between Paris and London, which was evident during President Macron’s state visit to the UK from July 8 to 10.
The agreement is seen as a significant step forward in the partnership between France and the UK on migration issues. By working together, both countries aim to reduce the number of people attempting to cross the Channel by illegal means, while providing safe and humane alternatives for those seeking to come to the UK.
Key features of the agreement include the creation of a new, jointly-managed information platform to share intelligence on smuggling networks. The platform will also provide support for French and British authorities to work together more effectively in pursuing those responsible for Channel smuggling.
In addition, the agreement includes provisions for increased cooperation between France and the UK on border security and migration policy. This will include joint patrols of the Channel, as well as the sharing of best practices in addressing the root causes of migration.
The French government has welcomed the new agreement as a major step forward in its efforts to tackle Channel smuggling. “This is a significant moment for our partnership with the UK on migration issues,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. “We look forward to working together to reduce the number of people attempting to cross the Channel by illegal means.”
Conclusion
The New Franco-British Agreement: A Step Forward in Tackling Channel Smuggling
The new agreement between France and the UK represents a significant milestone in their partnership on migration issues. By tackling the economic model that fuels Channel smuggling, while reopening safe and legal access routes for those seeking to come to the UK, both countries are taking a major step forward in reducing the number of people attempting to cross the Channel by illegal means.