Fri 10 September 2021:
Following the UK’s announcement that it would turn back migrant boats crossing the English Channel, France stated on Thursday that it will not allow any “financial blackmail” or violations of international law.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin wrote on Twitter that “France will not accept any practice contrary to the law of the sea, nor any financial blackmail”.
“Britain’s commitment must be kept,” he said, adding: “The friendship between our two countries deserves better than posturing that undermines cooperation between our services.”
Darmanin issued the warning after meeting with his British counterpart, Priti Patel, on the sidelines of a conference of G7 interior ministers in London on Wednesday, during which Patel asked that French authorities do more to curb the tide of migrants arriving on British ports.
UK PREPARES TO FORCE BACK MIGRANT BOATS CROSSING THE CHANNEL
On Thursday, several British news agencies claimed that British Border Force personnel would be trained on how to turn back migrant boats before they reach the coast.
Darmanin had raised concerns over such pushback tactics in a letter to Patel on Monday, which he said, “would risk having a negative impact on our cooperation”.
“We call on the British government to be cautious about the announced use of operating methods to combat attempted sea crossings, which would not only be dangerous for the men, women and children on board these boats but would also be contrary to international law,” he also said.
In July, Paris and London announced that the United Kingdom would pay France €62.7 million between 2021 and 2022 to combat illegal immigration over the English Channel. The funds were intended to be used to double the number of officers patrolling the coast and to improve surveillance technology and vehicles.
According to the Home Office, the two countries’ cooperation has prevented more than 10,000 migrants from trying the perilous journey thus far. The Joint Intelligence Cell, which was established in July 2020, has also helped French police to make approximately 300 arrests related to small boat criminality and seize about 400 small boat related equipment, resulting in 65 convictions.
Thousands of migrants have landed on beaches in southeast England as a result of recent good weather, including 785 on Monday alone.
During 26 separate events on Tuesday and Wednesday, UK police had to rescue or intercept 757 people in the English Channel, while French authorities intercepted 628 people in 17 separate events.
According to the Press Association news agency in the United Kingdom, more than 12,000 people have crossed this year. Around 8,500 people attempted the journey in 2020, with some dying in the process.
(Input with agencies)
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