UK Seeks New Partnership with Bulgaria to Combat Illegal Migrants
The UK is seeking a new partnership with Bulgaria to tackle the issue of small boats and illegal immigration.
The Times reports that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce a security partnership with Bulgaria to enhance intelligence sharing between the National Crime Agency and Bulgarian police.
The aim is to combat organized crime groups that smuggle migrants and equipment used to manufacture dinghies, mainly in Turkey.
With over a million Syrian and Afghan refugees expected to head to western Europe from Turkey, the UK is urging fellow European leaders to treat illegal migration as a top priority.
The UK Border Force reports that Turkiye has become a hub for people smugglers ferrying migrants across the English Channel.
While no official cooperation deal is expected soon, the NCA has been commissioned to build "closer links" with Turkish authorities to target smuggling gangs.
Bulgaria has become a major entry point to the EU for gangs bringing in boats' equipment from Turkey and for migrants following a crackdown on Aegean Sea crossings into Greece.
The arrangement helps Bulgaria "destroy the business model" of the criminals, according to Downing Street.
Bulgaria has stopped 11,000 illegal entries across its border with Turkey since January, a 40 percent increase compared with the same period in 2022.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that illegal migration posed an "unprecedented" threat to Europe's borders.
"We cannot address these problems without Europe's governments and institutions working closely together," he said.
Home Office spokesperson said, "Migration is driven by a number of factors and we will continue to work with international partners to overcome them.
We have a close partnership with Turkey when it comes to the shared problem of illegal migration." The National Crime Agency (NCA) stated, "Tackling people smuggling is a top priority, and we work closely with international partners to disrupt the supply of vessels."