In an effort to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats, Britain and France have agreed to pay each other 480 million pounds ($577 million) over the course of three years.
Speaking at a summit intended to mend fences after years of argument over Brexit, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron said their countries had decided to cooperate more closely.
As part of the new agreement, Britain will contribute to the cost of a French detention facility, and Paris will increase the number of French beach patrollers and equip them with better equipment.
Officers from both nations will also try to cooperate with nations along the routes that people traffickers prefer.
They stated that the funding package would be paid in installments and that the French would also contribute significantly more money.
Sunak said, “I agree with Emmanuel on this.
Criminal gangs shouldn’t have the authority to choose who enters our nation. Within a few weeks of my taking office, we reached an agreement on the biggest small boat deal in history, and today we’ve elevated our level of collaboration to address this common challenge.
After the number of migrants arriving on the south coast of England soared to more than 45,000 last year, up 500% in the last two years, Sunak has made stopping boat arrivals one of his five priorities.
It’s time for a fresh start, said Macron.
Since Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016, relations between the two nations haven’t always been smooth, but they have been strengthened by their support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
In contrast to recent mudslinging, Macron greeted Sunak at the Elysee Palace, and the two shook hands and smiled at one another.
Seven ministers from each side, along with the two former investment bankers, also met with business executives from both nations.
After he reached the Windsor Framework, a new agreement with the EU aimed at resolving issues with Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements, Sunak, who became Britain’s prime minister in October, is hoping to capitalize on renewed goodwill with France and the larger European Union.
King Charles will make his first official state visit to France later this month.
