The migrant crisis in Europe has reached alarming proportions, with irregular migrants arriving on the continent’s borders in rising numbers. In an effort to tackle this issue, Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, will call for more co-ordinated European action at a special summit in Granada, Spain. Sunak will emphasize the immorality and unsustainability of the current situation and highlight the need for creative Europe-wide solutions to address the root causes of the migration crisis.
One of Sunak’s key priorities is to tackle criminal people smugglers and tighten borders to prevent the influx of irregular migrants. He intends to co-chair a meeting with the Italian Prime Minister to discuss strategies for disrupting criminal networks and sharing intelligence between countries. Additionally, Sunak will engage with the leaders of Belgium, Bulgaria, and Serbia to strengthen cooperation at an operational level. Serbia, in particular, plays a pivotal role as a transit country for migrants entering Europe.
The summit, which includes 47 EU and non-EU leaders, serves as a platform for the European Political Community to discuss various issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Sunak has previously expressed skepticism about aligning closely with the European Union, he demonstrates a willingness to cooperate with European partners on immigration matters. Immigration was one of his key electoral priorities and he has made promises to halt the arrival of migrants in small boats via the English Channel.
However, it remains uncertain whether Mr. Sunak’s priorities align with those of other European leaders, or if collective action can be achieved. EU countries, in particular, have struggled to reach consensus on sharing the burdens associated with migration. The EU recently agreed to reform its internal asylum rules to ease the burden on countries like Italy and Greece during surges in irregular migration. Some EU countries, including Spain, are also interested in discussing new methods of legal migration. Mr. Sunak, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of the problem, primarily focused on criminal people smugglers, which would require co-ordinated action from both EU and non-EU countries.
In his addressed remarks, Sunak highlighted that illegal migration to mainland Europe is at its highest level in nearly a decade, leading to thousands of deaths at sea caused by people smugglers. He emphasized the immorality and unsustainability of the situation and stressed the need for unity in facing challenges such as the threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the risks of artificial intelligence, and illegal migration. Sunak believes that these issues transcend national borders and therefore require creative Europe-wide solutions.
During the summit, Sunak is also expected to announce additional humanitarian aid for Ukraine and explore ways in which Western allies can assist the country in boosting its grain exports. The Foreign Office has released intelligence indicating that Russia is preparing to lay sea mines outside Ukrainian ports, with the aim of hindering grain export by targeting civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
In summary, Rishi Sunak’s call for Europe-wide solutions to address the migrant crisis highlights the urgent need for co-ordinated action to combat criminal people smugglers and tighten borders. While the EU has agreed to reform its asylum rules, the extent of collective action and the alignment of priorities among European leaders remain uncertain. Sunak emphasizes the need for unity in tackling these challenges, recognizing that they extend beyond national borders. The summit also provides an opportunity to address other pressing issues, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine and ways to support the country’s grain exports. Ultimately, resolving the migrant crisis requires a comprehensive approach involving both EU and non-EU countries.
