The UK government is about to sign new agreements with nations in the Western Balkans to step up its efforts against people-smuggling gangs. These accords aim to lessen the risky small boat crossings of the English Channel, which have increased recently. Targeting criminal groups that enable illegal migration into the UK and EU, the new measures will increase intelligence sharing and cross-border collaboration with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo.
Why Is Cooperation with the Western Balkans Crucial?
Nearly 100,000 people have passed through the Western Balkans in the last year alone, making it a significant transit route for migrants travelling to the UK and the EU. The UK government sees these new accords as an essential step in stopping the illegal migration routes and dismantling the operations of gangs that smuggle migrants who are exploited.
Leading these efforts, the Prime Minister will announce the new accords on Thursday at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest. The summit will address several topics, such as regional cooperation, economic security, and migration. The prime minister is also anticipated to chair a special session on migration, likely advocating for more robust measures to mitigate the hazards of small boat crossings.
How Does the UK Plan to End the 'Criminal Empire' of People-Smuggling Gangs?
The Prime Minister will highlight the issue’s magnitude in the following announcement. They stated, “There is a criminal empire operating on our continent, exacting a horrendous human toll and undermining our national security.” Although the UK will take the lead in fighting these criminal networks, the Prime Minister said that “we cannot do it in isolation.”
According to the new accords, the UK can collaborate more closely with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo authorities to exchange intelligence and stop criminal activity before it reaches the UK or EU borders. According to official sources, the goal is to dismantle organised crime groups at their core to prevent the unauthorised cross-border movement of migrants.
How Many People Have Attempted Small Boat Crossings in 2024?
Due to the current crisis, the number of people trying to cross the Channel in small boats has sharply increased. More than 31,000 people have travelled the dangerous route so far this year, a considerable rise from the same time last year. According to the administration, these new accords are essential to halting the growing number of unauthorised crossings and lowering the life-threatening risks.
The Home Secretary emphasised the value of international cooperation in combating people smuggling. They stated, “Working more closely with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, we will share information and intelligence and work across borders to map out what is happening and where to break the business models of these unscrupulous gangs at the source.”
What Are the UK's Broader Efforts to Combat People-Smuggling Networks?
The UK’s larger plan to combat people-smuggling groups includes this new initiative. The administration has already agreed to share intelligence with Turkey and Albania. Dismantling human trafficking organisations that have been abusing migrant routes for years has been the primary goal of these accords.
Additionally, the UK has committed to investing an extra £75 million to strengthen its Border Security Command. This new program seeks to unite police, intelligence, and immigration enforcement organisations under one roof to combat illegal immigration, including small boat crossings.
What Role Does the European Political Community Play in European Cooperation?
In reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Political Community (EPC) was established to bring European leaders together for more casual discussions and enhanced collaboration on political and security issues. The EPC is a crucial forum for talks on familiar topics like unlawful migration because it now includes 20 other European countries and 27 EU member states.
Along with migration, the summit will cover global trade, economic security, and the current conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. As European leaders look for solutions to the continent’s urgent humanitarian and security issues, the prime minister’s appeal for more robust international action on migration is anticipated to receive much attention.
How Will the UK Respond to the People-Smuggling Crisis?
The UK’s recent agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo represent a crucial step in a larger international plan to combat organised people-smuggling gangs, given the increase in illicit boat crossings and the ongoing instability in the Western Balkans. The UK government intends to stop the flow of illegal migration and lower the number of unfortunate fatalities at sea by strengthening collaboration with important transit nations and concentrating on breaking up criminal networks at their source.
The prime minister said: “We need to go further and faster, alongside our international partners, and take the fight directly to the heart of these vile people-smuggling networks.” The UK seeks to protect its borders while tackling the root causes of unlawful migration through increased cross-border collaboration and focused initiatives.
