When bilateral cooperation contributes to crisification: Franco-British cooperation in Sea Crossings

This paper aims to question the role of Franco-British cooperation in the politicization and crisification of Sea Crossings in the Channel. Through an overview of Sea Crossings cooperation, in particular in a post-Brexit context, the paper will draw from interviews with law enforcement officials to highlight how the small boats became one of the main focus of a series of operational investment of the UK in France with an investment of more than half a billion euro over 3 years announced at the 2023 Franco-British summit. Most of the bilateral cooperation has been invested in juxtaposed control, beefing up patrolling on France beaches and Calais’ harbour; instead of making Channel crossings safer at sea. Next to explaining why the franco-British cooperation has participated to the crisification of the small boats crossings, the paper also delve into how this bilateral relationship is also being mobilised next to regional cooperation (Calais group) and initiative through the European Political Community where Italy, the UK, The Netherlands, France, Albania and the European Commission approved an 8 points plan on migration. Theoretically the paper will contribute to advance the theorisation of bilateral migration diplomacy in times of crisis.