Macron has blamed Britain for migrant deaths in the English Channel and called on Brussels to be ‘tough’ on fishing licences as the bitter row with London continued at the European Parliament today.
As France took over the presidency of the EU, Macron took the opportunity to accuse Boris Johnson of putting lives at danger because of his migration policy, with record numbers making the perilous journey across the Channel in dinghies.
The French president said current rules encourage illegal migration and do not allow for asylum seekers to seek lawful ways into the country, pushing migrants to attempt the treacherous crossing instead.
The row between France and Britain has rumbled on since the tragic sinking of a dinghy in November which led to the deaths of 27 migrants, with both countries placing the blame on the other.
His comments come as it was revealed today that nearly 1,000 migrants have arrived in the UK already this year, after 168 landed in Dover yesterday.
Macron, addressing Parliament in Strasbourg at the start of the six-month presidency, also said the EU and the UK need to ‘regain trust’ in each other in the post-Brexit era in a reference to the ongoing dispute over fishing licences.
He said: ‘We want to make certain that the agreements entered into are respected when it comes to the rights of our fishermen or the Northern Ireland protocol or vital discussions which have to be had in the future.
‘Let’s be clear, let’s be tough when we say that the conditions of agreements entered into have to be respected. That’s the way to remain friends.’
French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured addressing the European parliament in Strasbourg today) has blamed Britain for migrant deaths in English Channel and demanded a sign of ‘good faith’ over fishing licences in a blistering attack as France today took over the presidency of the European Union
This morning 25 people were escorted into the Port of Dover on board a Border Force vessel shortly before 9am. Pictured: Migrants arrive in Dover Harbour today
The latest crossings bring the total number of migrants arriving in the UK by small boats to nearly 1,000 already this year. Pictured: A migrant is brought ashore at Dover Harbour today
In his speech, Macron also urged the EU to commit to ‘strategic armament’ in a bid to avoid ‘war’ amid growing concerns of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Macron’s comments come after six boats were intercepted by Border Force officials and brought to the Port of Dover on Tuesday, according to the Home Office.
One small boat carrying dozens of people, including children, came perilously close to a P&O ferry while making the dangerous journey across the Channel – the world’s busiest shipping lane.
Meanwhile, French authorities intercepted three further crossings involving 126 people.
And this morning 25 people were escorted into the Port of Dover on board a Border Force vessel shortly before 9am.
The latest crossings bring the total number of migrants arriving in the UK by small boats to nearly 1,000 already this year.
Last year saw a record 28,381 people cross the Channel in small boats. But it was not until mid-February when the number of migrant crossings reached 1,000.
Officials have told Home Secretary Priti Patel that 65,000 people could cross the Channel in 2022 – more than double last year’s total.
Macron said the situation of migrants risking their lives trying to reach Britain by crossing the Channel from France in dinghies would not change as long as London does not adjust its migration policy
The flimsy and dangerous dinghy that sank off Calais, killing 27 people, on November 24
The sinking of a boat in November last year which resulted in the death of 27 people prompted emergency talks between London and Paris as they sought to hammer out an agreement to stop the crossings.
Only two people of the 29 aboard the vessel on November 24 survived in what is believed to be the greatest loss of life from a single migrant crossing on the Channel. The youngest victim was just seven years old.
The deaths furthered the diplomatic row between Britain and France amid the record numbers of migrant crossings.
Macron said today the EU required a government in London that acts in ‘good faith’ and live up to agreements with the bloc.
He said: ‘Ultimately we cannot solve this problem if the way in which migratory flows as seen from the British side doesn’t change.
‘Our British friends at the moment are trying to adopt an approach which is the one that prevailed at the start the 1980s is where you’ve got a level of acceptable economic illegal migration, you allow people to work without papers because it’s helpful the economy, but that is doesn’t take on board the reality of migratory flows now.
‘Secondly, there need to be legal, stable routes to be able to migrate to the UK and this is a situation that we’re confronted with. This is a dialogue that we need to pursue with the UK. It’s a horrendous humanitarian situation but that’s the reality.’
Earlier this month the Home Office ‘gave up’ on achieving a Channel deal ahead of the French Presidential election in April amid a rumbling dispute between Johnson and Macron.
French fishermen claim that they are entitled to licences under the terms of the trade deal with the EU, and have staged repeated protests including blocking access to ports on the Continent.
However, Britain insists only boats that provide evidence they were using the waters before Brexit happened need to be given permission.
The dispute ramped up before Christmas with French fleets threatening to blockade Christmas goods from reaching Britain despite a number of extra licences being granted to French boats in early December.
A number of protests were staged and roads were blocked in France amid the row.
Banners installed by French fishermen on the fences of the Eurotunnel Freight Terminal near Calais during a day of protest in November
Macron, 44, also told EU lawmakers today that Britain and the EU must find a ‘path of trust’ in the post-Brexit era in a reference to the ongoing dispute over fishing licences
Macron made several pleas during his speech in Strasbourg today, calling for the bloc to hold a ‘frank dialogue’ with Russia and seek a political solution to the tensions over Ukraine.
He said EU countries must also define among themselves a ‘new stability and security order’ that they would then discuss with Moscow.
‘The security of our continent is indivisible’, Macron said, referring to Russia.
A proponent of the EU having its own ‘strategic autonomy’ in the field of defence, Macron added that the bloc must bring itself to a position to make sure ‘it can be respected,’ including by making sure it is not too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies.
Separately, Macron said the EU must review its relationships with the Western Balkans and offer them sincere prospects of joining the bloc.
The EU must also propose a new alliance to African countries, he said, adding that EU and African countries would discuss it at a summit in February.
Macron made several pleas during his speech in Strasbourg today, calling for the bloc to hold a ‘frank dialogue’ with Russia and seek a political solution to the tensions over Ukraine
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