November 28, 2025, 8:19 p.mNovember 28, 2025, 8:19 p.m
A boat with migrants on the English Channel. (Archive image, 2024)Image: keystone
In the fight against migration across the English Channel to Great Britain, France also wants to take targeted action at sea against smuggling boats. France will begin “control and operational measures” at sea “shortly”, the prefecture for the English Channel and the North Sea announced, according to the newspaper “Le Parisien”. The so-called “taxi boats” should be stopped when smugglers set off with them without passengers, far from the migrants’ collection point.
London is putting pressure on Paris over migration
The newspaper “Le Monde” had previously reported that the tightening pace came after pressure from Great Britain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged French President Emmanuel Macron to quickly adopt the new tactic in a letter quoted by the newspaper.
According to the British Home Office, more than 39,000 people have already made the often dangerous journey across the English Channel this year. At least 27 migrants have already died this year.
Paris receives millions
London is transferring millions to Paris so that it can do more to combat migration. Although France is taking action against smuggling networks, when it comes to boats, it has so far limited itself to sea rescue when migrants are shipwrecked.
London does not want to comment on reports of pressure on Paris, a Downing Street spokesman told the PA news agency. Prime Minister Starmer communicates regularly with Macron, “and we would like to continue to expand our cooperation with our French partners in combating illegal migration,” it said. (sda/dpa)