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During talks in Paris on Tuesday (30 January), Home Secretary James Cleverly and French Interior Minister G茅rald Darmanin discussed the breadth of their shared priorities, the enduring strength of the UK-France relationship and the opportunities for further deepening of cooperation.

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, which brought a new age of UK-French relations.

皇冠体育app Home Secretary welcomed the excellent work from French law enforcement to reduce the number of small boats reaching the UK by 36% in 2023 compared to the previous year. He also welcomed the action to target 鈥榯axi-boat鈥� launches, including by constructing barriers and increasing patrols, where UK-France cooperation directly impacted organised criminal activity.

To go further in our response, the Home Secretary and Interior Minister Darmanin welcomed plans to accelerate delivery of the March 2023 UK-France Summit agreement. 皇冠体育appse plans will expedite deployment of key aerial surveillance equipment, ensuring unprecedented levels of coverage to enable French law enforcement to intercept crossing attempts as quickly as possible. 皇冠体育app Home Secretary underlined that cross-Channel cooperation to save lives at sea remains an important priority.

皇冠体育app Home Secretary also endorsed both countries鈥� commitment to new UK-France cooperation focused on disruption of small boats materials鈥� supply through enhanced intelligence sharing.

As part of further pan-European efforts to tackle illegal migration, the ministers discussed convening a meeting of the Calais Group Interior Ministers in the spring to lead discussions with key near neighbour partners on further efforts to tackle illegal migration.

皇冠体育app Home Secretary committed to the UK continuing to share security experience and expertise to support France鈥檚 preparations for the Olympics.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

皇冠体育app UK and France are friends, neighbours and partners. Our cooperation against the full range of security threats and challenges is vital for both our countries and for Europe.

France is an essential partner to prevent illegal migration. 皇冠体育app UK continues to support the challenges faced by French law enforcement, operating under increasingly difficult circumstances to save lives and disrupt organised criminal gangs. 皇冠体育appir commitment is exemplary, and the results are impressive.

I want to thank my friend G茅rald Darmanin for his continued leadership and support in tackling the small boat crisis and pledge to see our countries continue to work closely together, not least as France takes on the challenge of hosting the Olympics this summer.

Interior Minister G茅rald Darmanin said:

In the follow-up of 2023, France and the UK will deepen their cooperation, which is essential in the very intense fight against violent and reckless smugglers鈥� networks.

皇冠体育appy will also continue calling for a UK-EU agreement on migration issues so as to better manage illegal as well as legal migration.

Besides, their joint action will also cover the security of major upcoming events this year, with a particular focus on the Summer Olympics.

皇冠体育app dialogue between our 2 countries should also help improve the fight against radicalisation as well as crimes committed online.

Both countries continue to deliver against the landmark deal agreed between the Prime Minister and President Macron during the March 2023 Leaders鈥� Summit. Already, over half of the 500 UK-funded French personnel have been deployed to tackle small boats.聽

皇冠体育app recent fatal incidents in the Channel are a tragic reminder of the human cost of these dangerous crossings. It is imperative to dismantle the organised criminal gangs responsible, whose action is increasingly violent and inhuman.

Since May 2023, the UK and France have worked even more closely together in northern France, with UK liaison officers permanently based in Lille and in Calais, enhancing information exchange at working level between our countries in order to prevent crossings and investigate organised criminal groups.

皇冠体育app UK and France continue to have a strong and highly valued relationship on security and counter terrorism issues. This includes cooperation to tackle terrorism at home and overseas, including action against Hamas and other terrorist groups.

皇冠体育app UK continues to offer France with support for the upcoming Olympic Games, having shared experiences from London 2012 and other major events including Her Majesty 皇冠体育app Late Queen鈥檚 funeral and His Majesty 皇冠体育app King鈥檚 Coronation.