By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - British Premier Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled on Thursday a “ground-breaking” new migration deal aimed at curbing the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats, with a pilot scheme set to launch within weeks.
Under the agreement, for every migrant who arrives illegally in the UK and is returned to France, one other individual will be permitted to enter Britain through a safe and legal route — provided they have not previously attempted an illegal crossing.
Starmer announced the “one in, one out” arrangement at a joint press conference with Macron, who arrived in London on Tuesday for a three-day visit.
“Migrants arriving via small boats will be detained and returned to France in short order,” he said. “Small boats crossings will be in vain.”
Calling it a global crisis that is “acutely” a crisis for both the UK and France, Starmer said the problem stems from “an enterprise run by criminals” that is leading “hundreds of people to their deaths in the Channel.”
The pilot scheme is expected to be operational within weeks and will involve strict eligibility checks. “This will be subject to strict checks, and only available to people who have not tried to enter the UK illegally,” Starmer said.
He also emphasized the importance of international cooperation. “The government has to show it can work with others on this,” he said, thanking Macron for supporting French police efforts to clamp down on boats leaving French shores.
The leaders also discussed broader UK-French cooperation, including economic ties, European security, and support for Ukraine.