The U.K. and France agreed to deploy more resources to curb cross-Channel migration.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the first Franco-British summit in five years. The U.K. promised to pay France €541M (~£478M, $576M) over three years to control cross-Channel migration.
The funds would support police patrols, a new detention center, and expanded drone surveillance of beaches around Dunkirk and Calais.
- In a previous agreement signed in November, the U.K. agreed to pay France €70M ($74.5M) annually.
- Sunak and Macron agreed to cooperate on defense and energy initiatives and expand nuclear and renewables to help fight climate change.
- Sunak noted the relationship between France and the U.K. has had its challenges in recent years and proclaimed a new chapter for both countries.
- About 46,000 people crossed the English Channel in 2022, up 60% from a year ago.
