UK to pay extra $61.5 mn for Calais border security

IANS  |  London 

The UK will allocate an extra 44.5 million pounds ($61.5 million) to revamp security measures at the and in the French border port of Calais, a said on Thursday.

The extra cash will go towards fencing, CCTV and other in and other ports, possibly including Dunkirk.

It will also be used to help relocate migrants from the port towns to other parts of France, reported.

The announcement, which came ahead of a UK-summit attended by and at the in Sandhurst, southern England, aimed to demonstrate a continued close commitment to shared immigration responsibilities ahead of Brexit.

"This is about investing in and enhancing the security of the UK border. Just as we invest in our borders around the rest of the UK, it is only right that we constantly monitor whether there is more we can be doing at the UK border controls in and to ensure they are as secure as possible," a said.

The 2003 Treaty of Le Touquet set in place juxtaposed border controls whereby immigration checks for travel onto the UK are carried out by French authorities on French territory before travellers board UK-bound ferries, rather than the process taking place after disembarkation, although doubt had been cast on the future framework of the agreement after Brexit.

Analysts suggested that, as part of a revitalised Touquet deal, Macron could ask the UK to take in more migrants from in order to prevent another build-up of refugee camps, news reported.

One of Macron's key policies after taking office was to avoid a recurrence of the so-called Jungle camp, which was cleared by authorities in 2016.

Aside from addressing immigration controls, the is also to announce extra military contributions to France's anti-terror operations in as well as an aid package of 50 million pounds dedicated to improving stability in the African Sahel region.

--IANS

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First Published: Thu, January 18 2018. 16:16 IST