Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that new agreements aimed at intensifying measures against migrant smugglers will be signed with three Balkan nations tomorrow.
The Prime Minister is expected to formalize cooperation agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo—countries situated along critical trafficking routes into the United Kingdom and western Europe.
According to a No. 10 spokesperson, these agreements are intended to “enhance intelligence sharing, expertise, and cooperation” in an effort to dismantle the organized criminal networks responsible for the small boats crisis.
The Prime Minister will also advocate for a “significant enhancement in international cooperation” between the United Kingdom and Europe during his attendance at the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Budapest, Hungary, today.
Upon taking office in July, the Labour government promptly terminated the previous Conservative administration’s Rwanda asylum arrangement, asserting that its approach to addressing small boat crossings will focus on bolstering border security teams and strengthening collaboration with European counterparts.
Nevertheless, the total number of migrants reaching the UK this year has risen by 18 percent compared to the same period in 2023, with 31,535 arrivals to date, including 17,961 since the recent election.
The Prime Minister stated: “A criminal enterprise operates across our continent, inflicting a severe human toll and threatening our national security.
“With the support of our new Border Security Command, the UK will play a central role in efforts to eradicate organized immigration crime. However, we cannot succeed alone. We must intensify our efforts in partnership with international allies, targeting the core of these reprehensible people-smuggling networks.
“This will be the primary focus of my discussions at today’s European Political Community meeting.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized: “Our collaboration with Western Balkan partners is essential for dismantling the criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit. By strengthening our cooperation with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, we aim to share intelligence and operate across borders to trace these activities and disrupt the business models of these ruthless organizations at their roots.”
The Prime Minister remarked, “Through our intensified efforts, criminals will soon find they have nowhere to hide.”
Meanwhile, French authorities reported the discovery of two bodies—presumed to be migrants—found adrift in the English Channel. Another body was located on a Calais beach on Wednesday, as reported by French media. The Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation.
In a related incident, Kent Police confirmed that a body was retrieved from the Channel near Dover lifeboat station on Tuesday. The circumstances surrounding the individual’s death remain unclear, and an investigation is currently underway.
This year, at least 60 migrants are believed to have lost their lives in the Channel, marking a tragic record high. In another recent event, more than 50 migrants were rescued from the Channel after a dinghy encountered engine failure off the coast of Audresselles, northern France, overnight on Tuesday.
