The two countries want to stop the crossings of the Channel by migrants, more and more numerous to attempt this dangerous journey.
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France and the United Kingdom signed a new agreement on Monday, November 14 to fight together against migrant crossings in the Channel, according to the Ministry of the Interior. On Sunday, the British Ministry of Defense announced that the number of migrants who have crossed the Channel since the start of the year has exceeded the record 40,000 mark. These crossings have been a source of regular tension for several years between Paris and London.
This agreement provides in particular for the British to pay 72.2 million euros in 2022-2023 to France which, in return, will increase its security forces by 40%, on its beaches, from where migrants leave for the Kingdom. United, according to the joint declaration of the two countries consulted by franceinfo. This represents 350 additional police and gendarmes including reservists.
No quantified target for boat interceptions appears in this document, signed Monday morning in Paris by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and his British counterpart Suella Braverman. This is what the United Kingdom wanted, according to the press across the Channel.
In this text, London and Paris first set themselves the objective of deploying “technological and human resources”, including drones, on the French coast to better detect, monitor and intercept boats. Both countries also want to collect and use intelligence, including “from intercepted migrants”to better dismantle smuggling networks and deter crossings through joint work “as early as possible”in connection with the countries of origin and transit of exiles.
For the first time, teams of observers will be deployed on both sides of the Channel to “to strengthen common understanding” between the two countries, “improve the conduct of migrant debriefings” and “increase the exchange of information”. The agreement also provides funding for “detection dogs” in ports and the installation of surveillance cameras at the main border crossing points along the coast.