-
France’s top literary prize 2024 awarded to author Kamel Daoud
The Prix Goncourt is widely seen as France’s version of the Nobel prize for literature
-
MAP: Offshore sites identified for new wind farms in France
President Macron has made the expansion of wind generated energy a priority
-
Important changes for drivers in central Paris from November 4
A 5.5 km2 zone in the centre will now have traffic limitations in place
French minister criticises UK plan to stop illegal Channel crossings
France’s interior minister has said he will not accept ‘financial blackmail’ or ‘posturing’ in response to UK plans to turn away boats crossing illegally from France
France’s interior minister has criticised his UK counterpart for plans to stem illegal Channel crossings by turning boats back to France, saying her comments were akin to blackmail.
“France will not accept any practice contrary to the law of the sea, nor any financial blackmail. Britain's commitment must be kept. I have made this clear to my counterpart,” Gérald Darmanin stated on Thursday (September 9) in a tweet directed at UK home secretary Priti Patel.
“The friendship between our two countries deserves better than posturing that undermines cooperation between our services,” he added.
Mr Darmanin met Ms Patel at a G7 meeting of ministers in London on Wednesday, where Ms Patel said that "getting results and stopping the crossings was a top priority for the British people".
She is looking into plans to use different tactics to turn away boats carrying people attempting to enter the UK from France illegally.
Ms Patel has also threatened to withhold £54 million (€62.7 million) that the UK agreed to pay France in July to help with security patrols of the coast.
The UK home office released a statement on Thursday declaring:
“Without getting into operational matters, as part of our ongoing response, we will continue to evaluate and test a range of safe and legal options to find ways of stopping small boats making this dangerous and unnecessary journey.”
In August, a record 828 illegal Channel crossings were recorded by the UK.
Related stories:
Le torchon brûle: A French expression you may hear today
Professor at Kabul's American university relieved to be back in France