A groundbreaking migration agreement between the United Kingdom and Greece has been praised for its impact on combatting human trafficking. The pact, signed by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in Athens, aims to help disrupt smuggling operations. The UK will offer training to Greek authorities to combat the use of small boats for perilous Channel crossings.
In addition, the British government is intensifying efforts in North Africa to prevent risky crossings into Europe. Cooper revealed new funding for initiatives in Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia to steer potential migrants towards local job opportunities.
Cooper, in discussions with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, emphasized the importance of addressing illegal and hazardous boat migrations that threaten border security in the Channel and the Mediterranean. Both countries prioritize combating illegal migration and dismantling criminal smuggling networks, recognizing organized immigration crime as a global menace requiring a comprehensive government strategy.
The Foreign Office is expanding collaborations with other nations to address people smuggling along all stages of the routes into Europe. Recent joint operations between Greek authorities and the National Crime Agency (NCA) led to the disruption of an Athens-based network involved in migrant smuggling and document forgery. Multiple arrests were made, and a forgery lab was dismantled, seizing counterfeit documents and equipment.
A funding allocation of £1.5 million will support development projects in North Africa under the North Africa Migration and Development (NAMAD) program, benefiting over 17,000 individuals through training and health and social services.