The Head of State claimed Wednesday “an emergency meeting of the European ministers concerned by the migratory challenge”, as well as “the immediate strengthening of the Frontex Agency at the external borders” of the European Union .
Le Monde with AFP
“It is Europe in what it deepens – humanism, respect for the dignity of each – which is bereaved,” said Wednesday, November 24, Emmanuel Macron after the death of At least 31 migrants in the Channel. Everything promising that “France will not let the round become a cemetery”, the President of the Republic claimed “an emergency meeting of the European ministers concerned by the migratory challenge” by ensuring that “everything will be implemented to find and condemn the managers “from this drama.
The head of state also requested the “immediate strengthening of the Frontex Agency at the external borders” of the European Union (EU), according to a statement of the Elysée.
“We are all moved by this tragedy that faces each in his intimacy and in his values”, said Emmanuel Macron, expressing his “compassion” and the “unconditional support of France” to the families of the victims.
“shocked, revolted and deeply saddened,” the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, assured it wanting to “do more” with France to discourage the illegal crossings of the Channel. “We have had difficulty persuading some of our partners, especially the French, to act at the height of the situation,” he said on the Sky News chain after a crisis meeting , pointing Franco-British disagreements.
“Accelerate the dismantling of criminal networks”
Emmanuel Macron challenged “networks of smugglers who, by exploiting misery and distress, endanger human lives and finally decimate families”. “France acts, in relation to Great Britain, to dismantle the networks of smugglers” and “since the beginning of the year, thanks to the mobilization of 600 police and gendarmes, 1,552 passers were arrested on the North coastline and 44 networks of dismantled smugglers, “said the president, adding that” 7,800 migrants were saved “.
“Despite this action, 47,000 crossing attempts occurred since the January 1 , according to him. “If we do not improve our efforts today, other tragedies will reproduce,” he warned. For this, “we need to accelerate the dismantling of criminal networks related to Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.” “We owe it to victims, orphans, families. We owe it,” he concluded.
For Natalie Elphicke, the Conservative deputy of Dover, southeastern city of England facing the landings of migrants, this tragedy shows that “save lives at sea begins first by stopping the boats going to the Water “.
Interdepartmental Meeting Thursday in Paris
The French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, who regretted A “tragedy” , will hold on Thursday at 8:30 an interdepartmental meeting on this file with the ministers of the interior, Gérald Darmanin, of justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, armies, Florence Parly, the sea , Annick Girardin, transport, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, foreign affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, according to his services.
Four smuggles suspected to be “directly related” with the sinking were arrested, said Gérald Darmanin. “I want to say that the first leaders of this ignoble situation are the smugglers,” added the minister to Calais. He also called for a “very hard coordinated international answer” in front of this drama “which touches us all”.