Gerald Darmanin has called upon U.K. to work together and resolve the migration crisis after 27 migrants drowned while trying to enter U.K.
The Minister of Interior of France – Gerald Darmanin has called upon United Kingdom (U.K.) to work together and resolve the migration crisis after 27 migrants drowned while trying to enter U.K. through English Channel.
Darmanin’s remarks came during a crisis meeting of European Commission officials in France. The meeting was called upon by the President of France – Emmanuel Macron. Government Ministers from Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands attended the meeting. The officials from the European Union (E.U.), EU border agency – Frontex and Police Agency – Europol also attended the meeting.
The E.U. officials agreed during the meeting that Frontex should send a plane to help combat migrant trafficking in the English Channel.
The E.U. Commissioner for Home Affairs – Ylva Johansson said the criminal groups organising the trips were acting more or less on an industrial scale.
Taking it to twitter, Darmanin tweeted (translated in English), “Every day we fight smugglers and protect lives. Since the start of the year, we have relocated 12,000 migrants, our security and relief forces have rescued 7,800 people at sea and we are distributing 2,200 meals a day.” Original tweet in French:
Chaque jour, nous luttons contre les passeurs et nous protégeons des vies.
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) November 29, 2021
Depuis le début de l’année, nous avons relogé 12 000 migrants, nos forces de sécurité et de secours ont sauvé 7 800 personnes en mer et nous distribuons 2 200 repas par jour. pic.twitter.com/bRceLGfS1L
He also said that when the Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson says that France must take back its migrants, he is actually asking that France exonerate him from all responsibility in matters of reception. He said that U.K. must take responsibility for its own responsibilities.
The Home Secretary of the U.K. – Priti Patel was barred from the meeting after Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson published the text of a letter he sent to Macron setting out London’s demands for concerted action on refugees. Terming the development as “unfortunate.” she said she will now be holding separate talks with European Ministers this week.
The incident in which 27 people died is one of the major accidents of the English Channel. Darmanin said that France cannot let so many people die. France is carrying out a national organised crime investigation into the sinking, the deadliest migration accident on the Channel on record.
France wants U.K. to assume responsibility by making itself less economically attractive for illegal migrants. He even said the Britain has left Europe but not the world. U.K. needs to work seriously without being held hostage by domestic British politics.
Besides, Macron has also reacted angrily to Boris Johnson’s public call for France to take back migrants who reach the U.K. Meanwhile, Macron has also accused Johnson of lacking seriousness.
