The British government announced today that it has reached a key agreement with Iraq to reduce illegal immigration, reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
The agreement focuses on enhanced cooperation between the two countries to combat human traffickers who facilitate illegal border crossings. In addition, an agreement was reached to speed up procedures for the return of Iraqi migrants to their homeland when they do not have the legal right to be in the UK.
As part of the arrangement, London will provide financial assistance to Iraqi authorities to improve local capacity to address migration challenges.
The government of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of the Labor Party, has made reducing illegal immigration one of its top priorities. Starmer has stressed that tackling the trafficking networks that organize the dangerous and illegal crossing of the Channel in small boats is key to tackling the problem.
With this agreement, the UK and Iraq give a clear signal of their intention to work together for more effective solutions in combating migratory pressures and illegal human trafficking.