The European Agenda on Migration
The European Commission presented a European Agenda on Migration outlining the immediate measures to respond to the crisis in the Mediterranean and steps to be taken in the coming years to better manage migration in all its aspects.
The plight of thousands of migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean has shocked. No Member State can or should be left alone to address huge migratory pressures. This Agenda sets out a European response, combining internal and external policies, making best use of EU agencies and tools, and involving all actors: Member States, EU institutions, International Organisations, civil society, local authorities and third countries.
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini i said: "With this bold agenda, the European Union has proven itself ready to address the plight of those escaping from wars, persecution and poverty. Migration is a shared responsibility of all Member States and all member States are called now to contribute to tackling this historical challenge.
And this is not only a European but a global challenge: with this agenda we confirm and broaden our cooperation with the countries of origin and transit in order to save lives, clamp down on smuggling networks and protect those in need. But we all know that a real, long term response will come only from fixing the root causes; from poverty to instability caused by wars, to the crises in Libya and Syria. As the European Union, we are engaged and determined to cooperate with the international community on this."
Immediate Action
There is political consensus to mobilise all efforts and tools to take immediate action to prevent more people from dying at sea. Measures include:
Tripling the capacities and assets for the Frontex joint operations Triton and Poseidon in 2015 and 2016. The new Triton Operational Plan will be presented by the end of May;
By the end of May, the Commission will propose a temporary distribution mechanism for persons in clear need of international protection within the EU. A proposal for a permanent EU system for relocation in emergency situations of mass influxes will follow by the end of 2015;
Proposing, by the end of May, an EU-wide resettlement scheme to offer 20 000 places distributed in all Member States to displaced persons in clear need of international protection in Europe with a dedicated extra funding of €50 million for 2015 and 2016;
Working on a possible Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operation in the Mediterranean to dismantle traffickers' networks and fight smuggling of people, in accordance with international law.
The Way Forward: Four pillars to better manage migration
Our collective EU migration policy has fallen short. The European Agenda on Migration develops President Juncker's Political Guidelines
Reducing the incentives for irregular migration
Border management - saving lives and securing external borders
Europe's duty to protect: a strong common asylum policy
A new policy on legal migration
Full text available on the European Commission's website
For More Information:
A European Agenda on Migration: Questions and Answers
Factsheet: Relocation and Resettlement
Factsheet: Joint Operation Triton
Country factsheets: European Assistance to Member States
Glossary: The Agenda explained
Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs Website
Website of High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini
Website of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans
Website of Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos
Communication on the European Agenda on Migration
Annex to the European Agenda on Migration
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