Britain will address Bulgaria and Turkey in efforts to tackle the crisis with migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. At the meeting of the European Political Community in Moldova, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will call on European leaders to make combating illegal migration their top priority, The Times has reported.

Sunak will announce in Chisinau a new partnership with Bulgaria aimed at strengthening the exchange of intelligence on organized crime groups that smuggle boat equipment and people across the border.

The article reads that Bulgaria is a key point of entry into the EU for gangs bringing boats and engines from Turkey, as well as for illegal migrants. Downing Street has stated that the new agreement will help Bulgaria "destroy the business model" of criminals. It is indicated that since the start of 2023 the Bulgarian police has prevented 11,000 illegal entries from Turkey, which is 40% more in comparison to the same period of 2022.