British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised a new era of cross-border collaboration to combat people smugglers ahead of discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday, as part of his efforts to repair the UK's relations with Europe.
Since winning an election in July, Starmer has prioritized restoring ties with European leaders, and his visit to Rome on Monday comes after recent excursions to Berlin, Paris, and Dublin.
The Labour leader's focus on strengthening European partnerships marks a significant shift from the previous Conservative government's approach. Starmer believes that tackling illegal migration requires a coordinated effort across borders, emphasizing the need for closer cooperation with EU member states despite Brexit.
Heading to Rome to see Meloni, who had close links with Starmer's predecessor Rishi Sunak, Starmer will emphasize his commitment to combating illegal migration and the need to collaborate with European allies to destroy the business model of the criminal networks that fuel it.
Starmer has canceled the previous government's disputed plan to send asylum seekers arriving in tiny boats to Rwanda, but he has not ruled out agreements in which asylum claims would be processed offshore, similar to an accord Italy has reached with Albania.
This policy shift reflects Starmer's desire to find a more humane and effective approach to managing migration flows. However, critics argue that offshore processing could still raise human rights concerns and may not address the root causes of irregular migration.
Ahead of the meetings with Meloni, Starmer announced that Martin Hewitt, a former chair of the national police chiefs' council, would manage a new border security command that would be able to conduct joint investigations with other countries.
No more gimmicks. This government will take on the smuggling gangs that trade the lives of men, women, and children across borders, Starmer promised, vowing a new age of international enforcement to dismantle these networks, safeguard our coastlines, and restore order to the asylum system.
The appointment of Hewitt signals a more strategic and intelligence-led approach to border security. By leveraging international partnerships and expertise, the new border security command aims to disrupt smuggling networks more effectively and prevent dangerous Channel crossings.
Earlier on Sunday, French authorities announced that eight individuals had died while attempting to cross the Channel after their boat became stuck, raising the total number of deaths from attempted crossings to 46 since the beginning of the year.
Starmer's Labour government has stated that it will increase deportation flights and utilize funds saved from the Rwanda plan to assist law enforcement in tackling the crossings.
The tragic loss of life in the Channel underscores the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to the migration crisis. Starmer's approach seeks to balance border control with humanitarian considerations, aiming to create safer pathways for asylum seekers while deterring dangerous crossings.
During his visit to Italy, Starmer will visit the national migration coordination center to examine Italy's approach to the issue, which has resulted in a 60% reduction in irregular maritime arrivals, according to his office.
He will also discuss defence issues with Meloni, which might include the UK's participation in the GCAP fighter jet project with Italy and Japan.
In July, Starmer underlined the program's importance, putting an end to concerns that it would be cut during a defense review, but he did not guarantee continued British involvement.
The discussions on defense cooperation highlight the broader scope of UK-Italy relations beyond migration issues. Starmer's commitment to maintaining strong ties with European allies extends to security and defense matters, reflecting a more integrated approach to foreign policy.
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