Britain has announced that it has signed an agreement with Turkey in an effort to slow the flow of illegal migrants passing through the Mediterranean coastal country on their way to Europe, which includes joint police operations against smuggling networks and the trafficking of boat parts.
The British government stated in a release on Tuesday that customs data will be exchanged more rapidly under the new memorandum of understanding.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated, "Our partnership with Turkey, a close friend and ally, will enable our law enforcement agencies to work together on this global issue and tackle the supply chain of small boats."
As illegal immigration takes precedence in Britain’s political agenda ahead of the expected elections next year, the government said it will support a new Turkish police center that will build on existing cooperation in law enforcement.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made reducing the number of illegal migrants arriving in Britain a key pledge this year, while trying to narrow the gap caused by the significant advance of the opposition Labour Party in polls.
