UN Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stands on the brink of solidifying a pivotal agreement between the UK and the EU’s border protection agency, Frontex, marking a significant step in thawing post-Brexit relations. Expected to echo Frontex’s existing accords with “third country” states such as Albania, the agreement focuses on intelligence sharing regarding migration trends.
However, it notably sidesteps the pressing issue of the small boat crisis, which sees individuals crossing the Channel through irregular means. The agreement is being negotiated, driven by shared interests, and is expected to be discussed by the Frontex management board next week, with a possible signing scheduled for later this month.
After recent successes in settling trade disputes in Northern Ireland and enabling the UK’s re-entry into the Horizon science research programme, this development marks Sunak’s latest attempt to restore the practical contacts between the UK and the EU on a day-to-day basis.
Resolved issues remain, especially concerning Suella Braverman’s position on the European Convention on Human Rights and its possible effects on security cooperation, even as pragmatism is fostered in UK-EU ties. The ongoing conversation depicts a dynamic and intricate environment as both parties work through the challenges of post-Brexit cooperation.
