LONDON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Britain has signed an agreement with Iraq to strengthen migration cooperation, according to a statement issued by the British government on Wednesday.

"This agreement aims to further deter small boat arrivals," the statement said, noting that it "will establish formal processes to return those with no legal right to be in the UK swiftly."

Hailing the agreement, British Security Minister Dan Jarvis said, "By working together on security, development and migration challenges, we are building stronger relationships that benefit both our countries whilst tackling shared challenges like organised crime and irregular migration."

The number of Iraqi nationals arriving in Britain by small boat declined to 1,900 in the year ending March 2025, compared with 2,600 in the previous year, according to the statement. ■