In an effort to stem the flow of illegal migration into the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced new agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo* to crack down on people-smuggling networks that exploit the western Balkan route.
These agreements, unveiled at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest, will boost intelligence sharing and regional cooperation to intercept and dismantle smuggling operations at their roots.
The western Balkans have emerged as a critical corridor in Europe’s migration landscape, with almost 100,000 migrants moving through the region last year en route to the European Union and the UK. The UK government aims to disrupt the business models of these smuggling gangs by intercepting their activities early in the journey. The focus on collaboration with Balkan states builds on similar accords with Albania and Turkey, with the shared goal of striking at the networks driving dangerous Channel crossings.
Sir Keir underscored the urgency of a united approach, describing the networks as a “criminal empire” exacting both a human and security toll across Europe.
The EPC, established in 2022 amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now serves as a critical platform for European leaders to address pressing issues spanning security, migration, and cross-border crime. As part of this cooperative framework, the UK’s enhanced role in the Balkans highlights a strategic pivot aimed at addressing migration at its source, in an effort to alleviate pressure on Britain’s own borders.
As Channel crossings continue to rise, with over 31,000 arrivals already this year, the UK’s new agreements signal a proactive stance in tackling one of Europe’s most urgent challenges. By zeroing in on the western Balkans, the UK and its European partners hope to transform the way migration flows are managed—cutting off the networks at their foundation to build a more secure pathway forward for the continent.
