World Immigration News

Starmer and Macron agree on need for new migrant deterrent, UK says

Release Date: 2025-07-10
Media: Reuters
Summary: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron met on Wednesday and agreed on the need for new and joint solutions to tackle illegal migration, particularly small boat crossings from France to the UK. This meeting, the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit, set the stage for a bilateral summit on Thursday.

Starmer is seeking a returns deal for asylum seekers, where the UK would send one irregular migrant to France in exchange for one with a legitimate asylum case. France has previously rejected such deals, preferring that the UK negotiate with the EU as a whole. Macron indicated that any agreement would require the UK to address "pull factors" that attract illegal migrants, such as ease of living and working without legal status.

Both leaders emphasized the need to break the business model of smuggling gangs. They also discussed broader cooperation, including trade, defense, and plans for a joint military force to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
Tags: United Kingdom

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