Facing migrant influx on the coast, Belgium refuses to beg from the UK

Belgium will not solicit foreign funds to manage migrant arrivals, according to Interior Minister Paul Van Tigchelt. He asserted that Belgium is not a "beggar" whose policies depend on external financial aid, particularly from the United Kingdom.

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Belgium is not a beggar whose policy depends on checks from abroad.

Van Tigchelt made these remarks in parliament, implicitly referencing a deal between the UK and France where the UK committed 660 million euros to help France curb illegal crossings of the English Channel. He emphasized the importance of maintaining Belgium's independence and rule of law, stating, "We must ensure independence and the rule of law."

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I am open to cooperation, but we are not going to walk around with a cap in hand. Belgium is not a beggar who subordinates its policy to checks that come from abroad. We must ensure independence and the rule of law.

However, not all members of the governing coalition share the minister's view. Maaike De Vreese of the N-VA party found his position "striking," viewing cooperation with other countries as beneficial rather than a compromise of sovereignty. Tine Gielis from the CD&V party urged Van Tigchelt to reconsider, noting that British funding has yielded results in managing migrant flows.

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I do not see this as a way of bartering sovereignty but as good cooperation between neighboring countries.

In the past, Belgium has received one million pounds from the UK to combat illegal immigration. These funds were primarily used to enhance infrastructure, including investments in cameras, drones, and patrol vehicles along the coast. The European Parliament and EU member states are also moving to strengthen expulsion mechanisms for irregular migrants.

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We note that the British means lead to results.