France urges EU to strike ‘migration treaty’ with UK after Channel deaths | World | News
France has called for a migration treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom following the devastating shipwreck off the coast of Pas-de-Calais that claimed the lives of 12 migrants.
The tragic incident, which occurred yesterday, has brought renewed attention to the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the English Channel.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin visited Boulogne-sur-Mer, where he met with rescuers and local officials. He condemned the actions of human smugglers, referring to them as “real criminals” for cramming 70 people onto “a small boat less than seven meters long.”
Mr Darmanin expressed frustration over the persistent issue, stating: “It is important to restore classic migratory relations with our friend and neighbour Great Britain, otherwise we will not be able to stop these problems affecting the north of France, despite all the efforts of the police and gendarmes.”
The minister urged the incoming French government to prioritise negotiating a migration agreement with the UK, recalling this proposal was initially put forward by Emmanuel Macron to former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson two years ago.
Mr Darmanin also pointed out that current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had committed to “give new momentum” to the Franco-British relationship, making this an opportune moment to revisit the issue.
He noted the victims of yesterday’s tragedy were primarily from the Horn of Africa, many attempting the perilous journey to “join family, sometimes to work in conditions that are not acceptable in France”.
Despite efforts by French authorities to curb illegal crossings, including securing ports and tunnels, around 20,000 migrants still reach the UK annually.
The French Interior Minister: “There is no end in sight because people want to go to Great Britain.”
The minister also criticised the financial contributions of the UK, noting the “tens of millions of euros we negotiate each year with our British friends” are insufficient, with Britain only covering “a third of what we spend”.
This latest tragedy echoes a similar incident from November 2021, when 27 migrants lost their lives in a shipwreck, leading to heightened tensions between France and the UK. Following that disaster, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson publicly urged France to take back “all illegal migrants who cross the Channel”.
Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor Guirec Le Bras confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the shipwreck, with charges of “assistance with illegal entry and residence in an organised group,” as well as “involuntary manslaughter”. Most of the victims were identified as Eritreans.
Local officials have expressed their grief over the incident, with Olivier Barbarin, Mayor of Le Portel, calling it “a real tragedy linked to the migratory situation,” and Frédéric Cuvillier, Mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, referring to it as “a new tragedy in our territory”.
Former Pas-de-Calais MP Pierre-Henri Dumont wrote on social media: For many months now we, as local elected representatives, have been alerting the authorities. How many more deaths will it take to finally take action, save lives and restore peace of mind to local residents?”
