He said he was ready to “arm wrestling” with London on immigration. The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, who travels on Friday, November 29 to the French coast, where more than 70 migrants died in 2024 trying to cross the English Channel, wants an agreement between London and the European Union (EU). “We need a new relationship with the British. Brexit has changed the situation. Only the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement between the UK and the EU can really change the situation.”declared in an interview with The Voice of the North published on Friday.
“If I have to engage in a confrontation, I will.”the minister warned. France cannot address the problem alone. The UK must play its full part, as must our European partners. It is not about buying our silence with books in English. I want the damage caused, the efforts we are making, to be fully taken into account. » “Ultimately it will be necessary to have a legal route [d’immigration] towards Great Britain and a way of readmission not only to France but also to the bordering countries”added Mr. Retailleau.
“Embolicize traffic between channels”
But it is not about questioning the Le Touquet agreements between London and Paris, which since 2004 have established controls on people on French soil who leave for the United Kingdom: breaking these agreements. “It would be the best way to rebuild the jungle [de Calais] and embolize traffic between channels »estimated.
At least 72 people have died since the beginning of the year trying to reach England by sea from the French coast, according to a count by the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, which already makes 2024 the deadliest year since the appearance of the “little phenomenon.” “ship” in the English Channel, in 2018.
If you say you can’t “The satisfaction of seeing dead people added to the dead”Mr. Retailleau excludes at the same time improving the reception conditions of immigrants on the coast, to avoid a further increase “Traffic and drought”. “Only firmness can resolve things. “True generosity is preventing people from drowning.”said.
