Peregraf
The UK government is reportedly in discussions with Turkey, Vietnam, and officials from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq about financial agreements aimed at reducing the number of migrants heading to Britain, The Times reported on Sunday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking to reporters en route to a G20 summit in Brazil, emphasized the need to deter individuals from embarking on dangerous migration journeys. He described the effort as crucial to addressing the root causes of migration and combating the criminal networks facilitating people smuggling.
"Anything else we can do to stop people leaving in the first place is the right thing," Starmer said.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is said to be negotiating security and cooperation agreements with several governments, including the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Turkey, and Vietnam. These agreements could be finalized before the end of the year, The Times reported.
Migration from the Kurdistan Region
Informal migrants from the Kurdistan Region typically travel to Turkey using tourist visas, then attempt to reach Europe, often risking their lives on perilous sea journeys. Italy is a common entry point, with boats organized by smugglers. However, these journeys are fraught with danger, and many end in tragedy.
The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Missing Migrants Project recorded 3,041 deaths or disappearances in the Mediterranean in 2023, a sharp rise from 2,048 in 2021.
The migration wave from Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, has grown steadily. Between 2015 and 2021, 649,273 Iraqis sought asylum in Europe, according to the Lutka Agency for Refugee Affairs. During this period, 296 Iraqi migrants died, and 216 went missing.
In 2024 alone, more than 5,000 individuals from the Kurdistan Region attempted to migrate to Europe in the first seven months, according to KRG statistics. Tragically, 43 of them lost their lives on the journey.
The UK remains a key destination for many migrants from the Kurdistan Region. Starmer’s government is focusing on international cooperation to stem the flow of migrants, praising Italy’s example in tackling illegal migration and preventing departures.
While a spokesperson for the prime minister declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations, the efforts underscore Britain’s broader strategy to address migration at its source.