A recent agreement between the United Kingdom and Greece is being praised as a significant step forward in the fight against human trafficking. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper finalized the pact in Athens, emphasizing its role in combatting smuggling operations. Under the agreement, the UK will provide training to Greek authorities to disrupt the use of small boats for risky Channel crossings.
Efforts are also being intensified in North Africa to deter perilous journeys into Europe. Cooper announced additional funding for initiatives in Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia aimed at offering alternative opportunities to thousands of potential migrants within their own regions.
Highlighting the importance of addressing illegal migration and dismantling criminal smuggling networks, Cooper, in collaboration with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, emphasized the shared priority of border security in both the Channel and the Mediterranean. The focus is on a comprehensive government strategy to combat organized immigration crime, seen as a global menace.
Cooper stressed the Foreign Office’s commitment to collaborating with other nations to tackle illegal migration along all stages of the smuggling routes into Europe.
Recent successful cooperation between Greek authorities and the National Crime Agency (NCA) led to the disruption of an Athens-based network involved in migrant smuggling and document forgery. In a significant operation, eight arrests were made, a travel agency linked to the main suspect was raided, and a forgery lab was dismantled, seizing a substantial amount of counterfeit documents, passport materials, biometric data, and forgery tools.
A funding allocation of £1.5 million will support development projects in North Africa through the North Africa Migration and Development (NAMAD) program. This initiative has already benefitted over 17,000 individuals by providing training and essential health and social services.
