UK and Home Office immigration statement
It was announced that an agreement was signed between Türkiye and England. The British news agency Reuters announced that, under the agreement, joint police operations against human trafficking will be carried out and the sale of boats will be prevented.
British media commented that “Turkey was promoted as the hub of human smuggling gangs and most of the boats used by refugees crossing the English Channel are made in Turkey.”
EXPLANATION OF THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
A statement came from the Ministry of the Interior regarding the deal. The Ministry used the following statements:
* “In the fight against organizers of irregular migration and migrant smuggling, which is a global problem, we hold bilateral meetings with the ‘countries of origin, transit and destination’ of migration, including the UK.
* In this context, every year since 2019 ‘Migration Dialogue’ meetings have been held between the United Kingdom and our country. We agree to share intelligence with the UK to combat irregular immigration and migrant smugglers.
* Political instability, armed conflicts and economic difficulties create pressure on migration around the world. Preventing irregular migration and preventing people from losing their lives on dangerous journeys at the hands of migrant smugglers are among our main objectives.
* We constantly bring these humanitarian issues to the agenda at the regional and international level and keep them on the agenda. We are an active country in the field of migration in the organizations of which we are members, especially the United Nations, whose word is heard, whose contributions are accepted and where cooperation is sought.
* We are working to strengthen our existing cooperation with friendly and allied countries to prevent irregular migration. To this end; We cooperate with the UK as we cooperate with many countries to combat migrant smuggling and irregular migration.
* Our fight against organizers of irregular migration and migrant smuggling will continue without interruption.”
COLLABORATION BETWEEN TURKISH AND BRITISH INSTITUTIONS
Regarding the cooperation between Turkey and the UK in the field of migration, the authorities stated that Turkey cooperates not only with the UK but also with many countries to combat migrant smuggling and irregular migration. It has been noted that Turkey has recently taken concrete and result-oriented steps in this direction with England.
Turkey and the UK cooperate on migrant smuggling, including sharing intelligence with law enforcement.
England will support the Center of Excellence, which will be established under the Directorate General for Security and will help Turkey fight irregular immigration.
In addition, the UK will contribute to the measures taken by Turkey against organized crime networks involving immigrants, and other measures taken in the fight against irregular migration.