‘Growing Interest’ Among European Leaders In UK’s Rwanda-Style Deals
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined forces with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni to tackle illegal immigration as he highlighted “growing interest” among leaders in Europe in Britain’s Rwanda deals to process asylum claims in third countries.
Meloni has expressed her support for Britain’s deal with the African nation. Sunak sees such deals as key to reducing illegal arrivals, in addition to returns agreements such as the one between the UK and Albania to accelerate the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Speaking at the recently-concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi, Sunak suggested the two leaders would use Italy’s turn to host the G7 in 2024 and the UK’s turn to host the Fourth European Political Community Summit the same year to “bring people together to talk about this issue”.
Sunak and Meloni, who came into office within days of each other in October last year, have already had multiple discussions over the issue. The leader of the Brothers of Italy party came to power on a promise to block migrant boats but arrival numbers remain concerning.
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Following a trip to London in April, Meloni defended the UK’s controversial deal with Rwanda, stating: “I think … suggesting that Rwanda … would be an … unworthy nation is a racist way of interpreting things.” Some other European leaders have joined the conversation, too.
Austria has become the latest EU country to demand Brussels follow Britain’s policy of sending illegal migrants to the African nation for their asylum claims to be processed. Following his meeting with Meloni in New Delhi, Sunak reiterated his words: “Britain would be tough but fair.”
Amid growing pressure to fulfil his pledge to stop the small boats, the British prime minister also revealed he was pushing his Indian counterpart for a strengthened returns deal with India amid concerns over a worrying rise in illegal arrivals from the country.
According to UK sources, Indian officials “come up with … wonderful ways” to block the return of illegal immigrants. Britain is understood to be worried after Indians overtook Albanians to become the second largest group crossing the dangerous Channel earlier this year.
