France has officially rejected Boris Johnson’s call for British authorities to conduct joint patrols on beaches near Calais to prevent people from crossing the English Channel unsafely. French Prime Minister Jean Castex stated in a letter to Johnson that the country cannot accept the presence of British police or soldiers because it would undermine national sovereignty.
Castex also suggested that the United Kingdom should reform its system to provide people with “legal immigration channels” and allow people to go to the United Kingdom instead of risking a dangerous transit.However, he promised France Some suggestions made to resolve the crisis will be reviewed “in good faith”.
Johnson’s letter to the President of France aroused French anger. Emmanuel Macron, After 27 people were killed while trying to cross the English Channel in November, they called for further action on Twitter. It is reported that Macron labelled Johnson as “Joker” and “Stupid” in this discord.
But the British government has pledged to “close cooperation and partnership” with France after the letter from Castex. According to Le Monde, Castex wrote: “We have always accepted sincerely reviewing and discussing British proposals for strengthening and cooperation. We have accepted some, and we have rejected others.”
France has repeatedly rejected British requests for joint land and sea operations on its territory. The French Prime Minister stated that more than 700 police and military police have covered Dunkirk and the vicinity of Calais to prevent small boats carrying migrants from launching. But these efforts only allow this phenomenon to be contained, and cannot “bring a lasting response.”
Custers suggested that the United Kingdom arrange a “legal immigration route” for those who have a “justified reason” to enter the country, and seek a “more effective” return policy for those who have not entered the country.
A spokesman for the British government said: “We are ready to discuss all options in a spirit of close cooperation and partnership. As a common global challenge, we urgently need to collectively solve the problem of illegal immigration.”
