From Budapest to the Balkans: Starmer’s Plan to End Smuggling Empires

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reinforced the need for enhanced international co-operation to dismantle the criminal networks profiting from migration misery. Speaking at the European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Budapest on 7 November, the Prime Minister highlighted the critical role of collective action in addressing organised immigration crime across Europe.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister signed new agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo to bolster intelligence sharing and co-ordinate efforts to intercept smugglers and disrupt their operations. The partnerships aim to break the business models of these criminal gangs, who exploit vulnerable individuals and undermine regional security.

“There is a criminal empire operating on our continent, exacting a horrendous human toll and undermining our national security,” Prime Minister Starmer stated. “Backed by our new Border Security Command, the UK is leading efforts to end the scourge of organised immigration crime. However, we cannot succeed alone. Stronger, faster collaboration with international partners is vital to dismantling these vile smuggling networks.”

The Western Balkans remains a significant transit route, with nearly 100,000 migrants passing through the region last year. These agreements build on the UK’s existing partnership with Albania, which has already yielded results in targeting the illicit financial flows that sustain smuggling operations.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised the importance of these efforts: “Our partnerships with the Western Balkans are crucial to dismantling the criminal networks exploiting vulnerable people for financial gain. By intensifying collaboration, we are ensuring these criminals have nowhere to hide.”

The Prime Minister also chaired a migration roundtable with European leaders at the EPC, calling for unified action to address irregular migration and strengthen upstream co-operation with transit and origin countries.

This initiative follows the Prime Minister’s address at the Interpol Conference in Glasgow, where he likened organised immigration crime to terrorism, urging enhanced intelligence sharing and operational co-ordination to dismantle smuggling networks. During the conference, he announced an additional £75 million for the UK’s Border Security Command, including investments in advanced technology and personnel to protect the country’s borders.

Recent government data underscores progress, with 9,400 individuals without legal right to remain in the UK returned this year, including 2,590 enforced removals—marking a 19% increase from 2023.