The migration crisis in the English Channel is worsening, according to Downing Street, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to intensify their
joint efforts to address the issue.
Meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, the two leaders discussed a range of global and bilateral matters, including the Middle East, Ukraine, and defense cooperation. Both acknowledged the sharp rise in small boat crossings in recent weeks and stressed the urgency of tackling the situation.
In a statement on Tuesday, Downing Street described the talks as productive, noting that Starmer and Macron committed to closer collaboration with international partners and exploring new, innovative approaches to stem illegal crossings.
Looking ahead to the UK-France Summit scheduled for July, both leaders called for “high-ambition outcomes” that would produce meaningful benefits for citizens on both sides of the Channel.
Their discussions also covered the Middle East conflict, where they reaffirmed a joint commitment to a diplomatic path toward peace. They agreed that the G7 should place the crisis at the center of its agenda for the rest of the summit.
On Ukraine, Starmer and Macron reiterated their steadfast support for Kyiv and emphasized the need to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Defense and security cooperation was another key focus, with Downing Street highlighting the upcoming summit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen military and strategic ties between the UK and France. Photo by Irish Defence Forces from Ireland, Wikimedia commons.