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France rejects idea of joint border patrol in Channel with UK
'It's a matter of our sovereignty' a letter from the French Prime Minister read
French Prime Minister Jean Castex told his British counterpart Boris Johnson that he rejected the idea of a joint British-French patrol in the English Channel to fight illegal migration, in a letter obtained by media outlets.
"France is ready to pursue our operational cooperation with the United Kingdom," the letter said, but added, "We cannot accept... that British police or military patrol at our coast. It's a matter of our sovereignty."
Johnson earlier this month suggested a joint coast patrol in a letter he sent to French President Emmanuel Macron after at least 27 migrants lost their lives as they tried to reach British shores.
The letter did not directly address another controversial idea of Johnson's of returning all migrants to France that cross the Channel by sea, which the British prime minister believes "would significantly reduce - if not stop - the crossings."
Relations between the French and the British, already the lowest they've been in decades, took a dive after the mass drownings on November 24.
Castex's letter to Johnson, shared with journalists a day after being sent, was strongly worded, but began by saying that "every country must face up to its responsibilities" in tackling the Channel crossings.