The UK government is reportedly in negotiations with Turkey, Vietnam, and officials in Iraq's Kurdistan region about potential financial agreements aimed at reducing the number of migrants

traveling to Britain, The Times reported on Sunday.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of discouraging people from leaving their home countries and embarking on dangerous journeys, including hazardous crossings of the English Channel. Speaking to reporters, Starmer said, "Anything we can do to stop people leaving in the first place is the right thing."

During his visit to a Group of 20 summit in Brazil, Starmer outlined the government’s broader strategy to address illegal migration, including tackling criminal networks involved in human smuggling.

Interior Minister Yvette Cooper is reportedly leading discussions with governments in Kurdistan, Turkey, and Vietnam to establish cooperative security agreements. According to The Times, these agreements could be finalized by the end of the year.

When asked about the report, a spokesperson for Starmer in London declined to comment.

Starmer previously praised Italy’s efforts to combat illegal immigration during a visit to Rome in September, highlighting their initiatives to prevent migrants from embarking on dangerous journeys in the first place. Photo by Prime Minister’s Office, Wikimedia commons.