The UK will pay for new drone patrols in the Western Balkans in a desperate attempt to reduce the number of illegal migrants crossing the English Channel. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of a trip to Albania.
On Wednesday evening, Keir Starmer travelled to Albania for talks on establishing co-operation. The talks are expected to include discussions on closing one of the main routes for migrants trying to enter Europe illegally. He is also expected to discuss Albania’s participation in a radical scheme aimed at “offshore” processing of thousands of migrants arriving in Italy.
This initiative, which some ministers believe could one day be replicated by the UK, requires the Prime Minister to step up efforts to resolve the migration crisis across the English Channel following a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving since the Labour Party came to power.
Hoping for drones
This year, the number of arrivals has exceeded 12,000, which is 40% more than in 2024. More than 600 people crossed the border on Monday alone, when the British Prime Minister gave a speech promising to crack down on migration. As part of this, the UK says that cooperation with Albania “ensures security” in both countries.
The UK is already funding new drones to track migrants being transported through the mountainous border region with Kosovo, where access by vehicles is difficult. Some of the UAVs are equipped with automatic number plate recognition cameras, enabling them to detect any British vehicles believed to be linked to Albanian smuggling gangs.
Starmer is expected to announce plans to expand the programme, including broader intelligence sharing and new drone patrols on key routes through neighbouring Montenegro and North Macedonia. Albanian authorities will also be provided with new devices to detect fake passports.
The Western Balkans are a key corridor for migrants trying to reach the EU. Last year, around 100,000 people used this route, thousands of who are believed to have crossed the English Channel in an attempt to enter the UK illegally. Starmer will also hold talks with Albanian Socialist leader Edi Rama, who won a fourth term in elections last weekend.
