UK's Sunak Pursues Deal with Italy to Stem Mediterranean Migration

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly working towards a deal with Italy to address the flow of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, with the intention of returning them to North Africa. The initiative is aimed at tackling illegal migration and has been identified as a key priority by the Prime Minister and the British government.

In mid-June, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the UK's highest-ranking civil servant, was dispatched to Italy for two days of meetings with top government officials to negotiate the agreement. The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation between the two countries in combatting illegal migration.

A government source emphasized the significance of collaborating closely with international partners to address the issue effectively. The source stated that dealing with illegal migration required tackling the problem at its source and focusing on small boats used for crossing.

The efforts to establish a comprehensive partnership between the UK and Italy to address the migration crisis began in April, when the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the "Strategic Migration Partnership" framework.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Sunak outlined his five pledges for 2023, which included a commitment to prevent illegal migrants from entering the UK. Home Secretary Suella Braverman subsequently presented the Illegal Migration Bill to the House of Commons. Sunak reiterated his stance on illegal migration, emphasizing that those who arrived in the UK unlawfully would not be eligible to claim asylum.

However, in a subsequent statement, Sunak acknowledged that his plan to halt small boats crossing the English Channel would not be accomplished overnight. He also extended the timeline for achieving his objectives beyond the upcoming general elections, indicating a tempered enthusiasm for immediate results.

In April of the previous year, former Home Secretary Priti Patel proposed the "Rwanda Asylum Policy," which aimed to transfer immigrants who entered the UK through illegal means to Rwanda for asylum processing. However, the plan faced legal challenges, and this week, a panel of three judges at the Court of Appeal blocked the initiative, citing concerns that relocated asylum seekers might be wrongly sent back to their home countries.

Despite the setback, Prime Minister Sunak expressed optimism about overturning the court's decision. Nevertheless, the ruling represents a setback to the government's plans for tackling the immigration issue.

The UK faced a peak in the immigration crisis in 2022, with more than 45,000 individuals entering the country, surpassing the previous year's record by over 17,000.

In summary, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is actively pursuing a deal with Italy to address the influx of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The objective is to establish stronger cooperation between the two countries in combatting illegal migration, focusing on both addressing the issue at its source and dealing with small boats used for crossing. While efforts to develop comprehensive partnerships have been underway, recent legal setbacks have complicated the implementation of certain migration policies.