UK Minister for Europe Nusrat Ghani has urged European partners to sustain their support for Ukraine and enhance cooperation to tackle illegal migration at the Council of Europe meeting of Foreign Ministers.
Ghani at the meeting in Strasbourg, emphasized the need for decisive and coordinated action to address these critical issues.
The Minister highlighted the importance of innovative solutions to combat illegal migration, stressing the necessity for the European Court of Human Rights to implement recently agreed improvements to Rule 39. She also underscored the UK’s leadership in AI safety, celebrating the agreement of the world’s first international treaty on AI and human rights, in which the UK played a pivotal role.
“The Council of Europe has upheld democracy, freedom, and the rule of law across our continent for 75 years,” Ghani stated. “In a more contested and volatile world, we must out-compete and out-cooperate those who would undermine our stability and freedoms. The Council, which the UK is proud to be a founding member of, plays a vital role in defending these values, particularly by holding Russia accountable for the crimes committed in Ukraine.”
Ghani’s agenda also includes bilateral meetings with counterparts and heads of European institutions to discuss measures to address the humanitarian crisis caused by illegal migration.
She emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating people smuggling gangs that endanger the lives of migrants.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has prioritized stopping illegal boat crossings, with efforts showing significant progress. In 2023, small boat crossings fell by a third compared to the previous year, and the return of individuals with no right to be in the UK increased by two-thirds to 26,000.
The UK also signed an agreement with France, preventing 26,000 boat launches and dismantling 82 smuggling gangs, alongside increased funding for the National Crime Agency.
Last month’s implementation of the UK’s landmark Rwanda Act aims to deter dangerous journeys across Europe and the Channel. This legislation is part of the government’s broader strategy to address illegal migration.
The Council of Europe, established 75 years ago after World War II to uphold peace, democracy, and freedom, has taken swift action in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s expulsion from the Council marked a historic first for the organization.
The launch of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, announced at the leaders’ summit in Iceland, enables individuals to file claims for losses caused by the invasion, marking a significant step toward justice for Ukrainians.
