They want to extend the key agreement until 2027.
Representatives of France and Britain on Thursday after a meeting in the northern French city of Le Touquet promised to intensify the fight against illegal migration through the Lamans Strait and agreed to extend the key agreement by 2027.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and his British department’s colleague Yvette Cooper discussed the possibility of future cooperation in the field of fighting illegal migration. They agreed on the extension of the so -called Sandhurst Treaty on safe borders, according to which Britain financially contributes to France to the border guard, and it in turn prevents the refugees from getting through the Laman Strait.
“Our conversations are a bit rough when it comes to money. However, we will agree on the goals and eventually we will always be able to reach an agreement, “Retailleau said.
French forces will have new permits
In November 2024, the French minister stated that Britain can no longer rely solely on Paris in the safety of the Lamans Strait. He called for London to do more to solve a common problem.
Retailleau, after the meeting, called on the French forces to grant permission to stop ships even after they were already saving. They would be able to fight a new phenomenon in which the smugglers will pick up refugees at sea to avoid checks on the beaches. Currently, ships can only stop at sea in cases where the safety of the crew.
The new projects co -financed by both countries should include another retention center in the port city of Dunkerque in the north of France. In 2024, more than 36,800 refugees came to the UK through the Laman Strait. At least 78 people died of cruises.
