PARIS – The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced on Friday a new deal worth over 500 million euros to combat illegal cross-Channel migration.
The announcement came at a summit in Paris, which aimed to reset the relationship between the two countries following years of Brexit tensions.
As part of the deal, the United Kingdom will increase its funding to France to allow for the deployment of hundreds of additional French police officers to patrol the Channel.
Additionally, a new detention centre will be established as an additional deterrent to illegal migration.
Both leaders expressed optimism about the deal, which they hailed as a fresh start in relations between the two neighbors.
The summit was also marked by expressions of unity in their support for Ukraine in fighting the Russian invasion.
The UK-French summit was the first in five years, following the tumultuous tenures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, which were marked by acrimonious relations with Paris.
Macron described his talks with the British PM as a “new start,” while Sunak referred to it as “a new beginning, our entente renewed.”
Sunak also acknowledged the challenges that the relationship between the two countries has faced in recent years, saying, “We’re writing a new chapter in this relationship.”
The new pact marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the UK and France and underscores the importance of cooperation in addressing shared challenges, such as illegal migration, and supporting allies in the face of global threats.
