Rishi Sunak emphasized the significance of discouraging individuals from taking unsafe and illegal routes following the tragic sinking of a ship carrying migrants off the Greek coast.
The Prime Minister, who has prioritized stopping Channel crossings by small boats, recognized the gravity of the situation and the immense suffering it causes.
The vessel, believed to have had up to 750 people on board, overturned and sank in international waters. Sunak discussed the incident with Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson, highlighting the importance of deterring migrants from using these dangerous routes.
He also raised the issue with European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen, underscoring the need to combat the criminal networks involved in people smuggling.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The leaders also reflected on the tragic shipwreck in Greece last week and the brutal business model of people-smuggling gangs.
“They reiterated their commitment to continue working closely together to break the criminal enterprises driving illegal migration, including UK cooperation with the EU border agency Frontex.”
