A new bilateral agreement for managing migration in the English Channel is expected to be proposed by Sir Keir Starmer to Emmanuel Macron, within the framework of the French President’s three-day official visit to the United Kingdom. According to ERT, this involves the “one in, one out” proposal, which provides for the return of migrants who arrive by boats on British shores, in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers who have family ties in the country.
This marks the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit and is part of efforts to bring the two countries closer together on issues such as migration, defense, and energy security.
According to The Times newspaper, the plan represents the first major diplomatic test for the new British Prime Minister, in an attempt to limit boat arrivals. The Daily Telegraph emphasizes that only a “clean line” returns agreement can end the flow of “illegal migrants,” while in its editorial it calls on Macron to understand that such an agreement is in the interest of both countries.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail targets French authorities, accusing them of “doing nothing” to prevent crossings from the Normandy coast. The newspaper also demands the return of the £771 million that Britain has given to France to address the crisis.
At the institutional level, King Charles III will welcome Macron tonight at Windsor Castle, emphasizing in his speech at the official dinner the importance of the “strategic alliance” between London and Paris, as reported by the Telegraph.
The Daily Express, with a more simplistic tone, asks Starmer to “toughen his stance” and “finish” with the boat problem, characterizing Macron’s visit as a “golden opportunity”.
Source: ERT
