The United Kingdom announces a pilot agreement to return migrants to France who arrive illegally by the Channel

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Thursday July 10. For example, a pilot agreement for an exchange of migrants with France, which is to enter into force in the “Next weeks”. Meanwhile, This agreement. united kingdom announces pilot agreement However, which must still be submitted to the European Commission before being signed, is based on the principle of “One for one”.

“I am pleased to announce our agreement today on an unprecedented pilot project: for the first time. Meanwhile, the migrants arriving in small boats will be stopped and then returned quickly to France”said the Labor Manager, adding that“In exchange for each return” Another person could come via a controlled and legal route. Consequently, The latter must. Furthermore, beforehand, express its will, via an online platform, to settle in the United Kingdom and justify links with this country.

Only individuals “Who have not tried to illegally enter the United Kingdom” Will be eligible for this exchange. he added during a press conference with French president, Emmanuel Macron, during a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom.

“For the first time. the migrants arriving united kingdom announces pilot agreement in small boats will be stopped and then returned quickly to France”added the British Prime Minister, rejoicing an agreement “Revolutionary” on a project likely to start “In the coming weeks”. The subject is delicate while in the first six months of 2025. more than 20,000 people managed to reach the British coast aboard small boatsan increase of almost 50 % compared to the same period last year.

“A very dissuasive effect on the model of smugglers”

The French president also deplored a ” incentive “ to united kingdom announces pilot agreement cross the English Channel from Brexit in 2020. explaining that it has not existed since “No migratory agreement with the European Union”. “There is not for candidates for crossing. alternative legal admission or readmission system at the end of a crossing, and the current situation actually creates an incentive to carry out the crossing”detailed Emmanuel Macron. He estimated that this pilot project “Will exercise[it] A very dissuasive effect on the model of smugglers. on crossings ».

No quantified clarification has been given on the number of migrants that the agreement could concern. He must still be subject to legal verification, according to Emmanuel Macron. The NGO Doctors Without Borders has considered it that this project was not “Not just absurd” more “Also extremely dangerous”.

French. British leaders also assured that the plans of the coalition of voluntary countries to guarantee a future ceasefire between kyiv and united kingdom announces pilot agreement Moscow were “Loans”while calling for increasing the « pression » On Russia, after having co-chaired from the command center of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of Northwood, in the northwest of London, a meeting on this subject.

Emmanuel Macron also called. during this common speech, to a common recognition of Palestine by Paris and London, ” alone “ way “Complies with a perspective of peace” Between Israel and the Palestinians. For his part. Keir Starmer said that “Longtime policy” of his political training, the Labor Party, and his government was “To recognize Palestine as united kingdom announces pilot agreement part of a process”. “This remains our position”he said. However. he added, “The emphasis must now be relentlessly put on obtaining a ceasefire that will allow policy to take precedence over the fights and will allow humanitarian aid to arrive and hostages [retenus à Gaza] to be taken care of “.