French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper presented a united stance regarding illegal migration during their visit to Le Touquet. They acknowledged financial disagreements but emphasized agreement on their goals. Their discussions addressed the need for enhanced security protocols to tackle illegal border crossings and a call for Britain to strengthen its border measures. They renewed a border security deal until 2027, suggesting innovative strategies including earlier interception of migrant boats and the establishment of new detention facilities to mitigate ongoing migrant flows.
"Our discussions are a little harsh when it comes to money," France's hardline interior minister said at a joint press conference. But he added: "We agree on the objectives and we always manage to come to an agreement in the end."
Retailleau also called for a new approach that would allow French forces to intercept boats even when they are already in the water, to counter a new tactic of 'taxi boats' that pick up migrants directly in the water to avoid checks on the beaches.
Cooper said that the fight against illegal migration should be strengthened, "both here in northern France between the UK and France" and across Europe.
Retailleau at the time called on London to do more to combat the issue and urged British authorities to open legal 'admission channels' for those wishing to reach its territory.
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