France’s new interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, issued a warning to the UK about the burden of border defense in the English Channel. He expressed concerns about the lack of a legal route for asylum seekers to come to the UK and criticized Brexit for damaging immigration cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Retailleau emphasized that France could no longer bear the full responsibility of defending the common external border of Europe. He called for a more comprehensive deal between Britain and the EU, highlighting the need for the UK and European partners to play their part in border security.
During a visit to the northern French coast, Mr. Retailleau threatened to denounce the Le Touquet agreement, which allows Britain to conduct border checks on French soil. He also stressed the importance of establishing legal routes for migrants to the UK to prevent further tragedies in the Channel.
In response to the increasing number of migrant deaths in the Channel, the Conservative government pledged £500m to the French police for enhanced border surveillance equipment. However, migrants have adapted by launching boats from new beaches along the coast, leading to longer and riskier journeys.
Charities advocating for safe and legal routes for Channel migrants have been met with resistance from the Labour government. Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to address the issue by targeting criminal gangs facilitating the dangerous journeys across the Channel.
The ongoing debate between France and the UK underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to the migrant crisis in the English Channel. As both countries grapple with the challenges of border security and asylum seekers, finding common ground and effective strategies is crucial to preventing further loss of life and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.
