European countries are the focus of flows of people coming from different countries in search of a better quality of life. However, irregular migration has increased in 2022 on almost all routes, except for the Western Mediterranean. In response, France has begun diplomatic efforts with Italy and the UK to find solutions.
According to Frontex, 155,090 people had crossed European borders irregularly, 86 per cent more than in the same period in 2021. The reasons for the increased migration flow include the economic crisis, the food crisis due to the invasion of Ukraine, as well as other armed conflicts in Africa and other countries xxx gratuit.
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On the other hand, the UK has received 40,000 people entering across the Channel from France so far this year. This is more than the 28,561 people registered last year. Most of them are Albanians, Iranians and Afghans.
FRANCE AND UK TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE CANAL
To deal with the situation, the UK has pledged 72.2 million euros, while France will increase its troop presence in the north of the country by 40 per cent, equivalent to an additional 100 officers. Both countries will also have observers on both sides of the channel.
This agreement comes after Rishi Sunak took over as prime minister, which shows an improvement in relations. However, the UK says there is “no miracle solution” to curb irregular migration, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in a statement.
Meanwhile, during the week of 6 November, tensions between France and Italy escalated after the latter refused to give access to a humanitarian rescue ship with 234 migrants on board, forcing France to accept it. This prompted France to suspend an EU solidarity pact, under which it was to relocate 3,000 migrants relocated from Italy.
A CALL TO CALM TENSIONS
After the incident, presidents Sergio Mattarella and Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation in which they agreed on a policy of “full cooperation”, both bilaterally and within the EU, to deal with migration, and other issues.
However, Mattarella has no real power in day-to-day government in Italy, but Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who heads the new far-right leadership.
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It will be difficult to see a change of strategy on Italy’s part, as one of Meloni’s promises was that the country would no longer be the main port of entry for migrants travelling across the Mediterranean.
So far this year, according to Frontex, a total of almost 43,000 people have landed in Italy and Malta. However, the burden is on the former, as Malta has registered the entry of only 30 people, compared to 300 at the same time last year. Most of the boats with migrants come from Libya and Tunisia, although the majority nationalities are Egyptians and Bangladeshis, according to the report.