‘UK and France have agreed to tackle deadly Channel crossings’

LIZ Truss and Emmanuel Macron yesterday agreed that Britain and France will work together to stop thousands of migrants making illegal and deadly Channel crossings.

- Martyn Brown

The ambitious goal is one of several announced by the Prime Minister and the President after they met in the Czech Republic.

So far this year more than 33,000 people have risked their lives crossing the sea from France to the UK.

But the two countries revealed they will hold a summit in 2023 to “strengthen co-operation on energy security” while also “tackling illegal migration”.

Reaffirming the ties between the nations, Ms Truss and Mr Macron agreed that the next UK-France Summit – dubbed “La Co-operation” by Downing Street – will be held in France next year.

A No 10 spokesman said: “They agreed to deepen co-operation on illegal migration within the bounds of international law, to tackle criminal groups trafficking people across Europe, ending in dangerous journeys across the Channel.

Ambitious

“Interior ministers should conclude an ambitious package of measures this autumn.

“Leaders agreed to reinforce cooperation with near neighbours, including through an early meeting of the Calais group.

“President Macron and Prime Minister Truss welcomed the quality of the discussions during the first summit of the European Political Community and look forward to next steps.”