Rishi Sunak heads to Paris for crunch Channel migrant talks with Emmanuel Macron
Rishi Sunak travels to Paris on Friday morning for crunch talks with Emmanuel Macron over the Channel migrant crisis.
The Prime Minister and French President will hold hours of negotiations at the Elysee Palace during the first UK-France summit for five years.
Top of the agenda will be trying to persuade the French premier to do more to stop migrants clambering aboard inflatable boats and launching from beaches in Northern France for the perilous journey to British shores.
About 3,000 migrants have made the treacherous crossing so far this year, with the Home Office braced for up to 80,000 to arrive in 2023.
The Government this week outlined its plan to “stop the boats”, but the proposal was widely slammed by charities and opposition MPs.
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Some 3,000 migrants have made it to Britain this year crossing the Channel in small boats (Getty Images)Speaking ahead of the summit, Mr Sunak’s spokesman said: “We are going in there with an ambition to agree to go further on stopping the boats making these dangerous crossings.”
The pair are expected to issue a joint statement following their talks.
Before travelling to the French capital, the PM said: “Our deep history, our proximity and our shared global outlook mean that a firm partnership between the UK and France is not just valuable, it is essential.
“From tackling the scourge of illegal migration to driving investment in one another’s economies, the work we do together improves the lives of each and every person in our countries.
“Beyond that, the UK and France also have a privileged role as defenders of European and global security.
It will be the first UK-France summit for five years (PA)“As we face new and unprecedented threats, it is vital that we fortify the structures of our alliance so we are ready to take on the challenges of the future. That is what we will do at the UK-France Summit today.”
The PM is likely to push Mr Macron to pressure Brussels over a deal so Britain can return Channel migrants to France.
The President insists the issue is dealt with on an EU-wide basis.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman said: “We recognise it’s important that we do secure an agreement with the EU, and France will be an important component of that.”
No10 said the pair are also “expected to agree to further coordinate both the supply of weapons to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian marines” during their talks.
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The Tories' Bill to crackdown on the crisis will return to the Commons on Monday (PA)Downing Street added: “The UK has already trained 11,000 troops since last summer and we recently expanded our training to include Ukrainian pilots.
“Bolstering these efforts through further joint UK and French training could see thousands more Ukrainians brought to battlefield readiness.”
The last UK-France summit took place at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, Berks, in January 2018.
Today’s meeting is a sign of the thawing relations between London and Paris after they were plunged into the deep freeze during the Brexit turmoil.
“Ours is a fundamental alliance, a necessary prerequisite for our prosperity and security,” said Mr Sunak’s spokesman.
“Both countries are committed to using our shared strengths and joint outlook to forge a new relationship which delivers for our people now and in the future.
“Discussions will focus on some of the biggest issues facing our countries, including tackling illegal migration, securing our energy supplies, reducing the threat from terrorism and ensuring (Vladimir) Putin is defeated in Ukraine.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We urgently need action to stop dangerous boat crossings that are putting lives at risk and undermining border security.
"We need a new agreement with France; Rishi Sunak will have failed if he comes back from the summit without a new returns agreement and new joint arrangements to prevent dangerous boat crossings.”
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