Migration and Iran discussed at Amsterdam Gymnich talks

Managing migration and the recent nuclear deal with Iran were among the issues discussed when EU Foreign Ministers met in Amsterdam for one of their informal "Gymnich i" meetings last weekend. They were joined by the Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Montenegro, Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia who are candidates for EU membership and have been affected by the migration crisis. The meeting was chaired by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini i and her Dutch counterpart Bert Koenders i. The purpose of the Gymnich format, where no formal minutes are taken, is to encourage freer discussion.

"Shared responsibilities" on migration

Speaking after the meeting Federica Mogherini said that the discussions on migration had shown "we have shared responsibilities, and that either we find common solutions, or we don’t find solutions at all." Referring to the candidate countries she said "European integration of these countries, especially in the Western Balkans but also with Turkey, has an added value in itself because we need common policies and common instruments…to manage a phenomenon that concerns us all."

In term of the specifics of what were discussed at Gymnich, she said that Ministers discussed internal EU decisions, external policies, relations with Turkey, Syria and the rest of the Middle East. Discussions also focussed on Libya, the southern migration route, the need to distinguish refugees and asylum seekers and cooperation on the external borders of the European Union.

Discussions on Iran deal and its regional implications

The High Representative also talked to Ministers on the recent developments in the nuclear deal with Iran which was signed in July and implemented in January. Speaking to the press she said "I updated Ministers on the preparations we are having for high level dialogues on all different fields, our common lines to proceed on the bilateral relations between the European Union and Iran and the regional implications of the fact that Iran is somehow at the table, in the region and in the international scene, for good and for bad."

Regarding its wider implications Federica Mogherini said she had stressed at the meeting that the Iran deal is "extremely relevant for our work on Syria but also for the stability of other countries like Iraq, Lebanon or the conflict in Yemen. The European Union has a leverage and a role that is recognised not only by and with Iran but also by and with other relevant powers in the region, starting from the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia and others to try and pass the message of wisdom, de-escalation and cooperation as much as possible."

Turkey and €3 billion package for Ankara

During a Q&A with journalists she was also asked about the EU's cooperation with Turkey on migration and the €3 billion package for Turkey. She said Ankara had already taken two important decisions: One is the decision to give working permits to Syrian refugees in Turkey and the second one is to introduce a number of visa regimes for visitors from other countries who travel to Turkey. This will help Turkey and the EU to monitor and manage flows of people passing through Turkey and then heading to Europe.

One area Federica Mogherini identified where EU money will be spent will be on teaching Syrian children who are refugees in Turkey in their native Arabic language. This is vital as the war since 2011 has massively disrupted children's education and it is vital Syrian children continue schooling in their native language. This will make it easier for them to return and find work when the country is eventually at peace. She said that as well as education, the EU was investing in health programmes and generally improving the prospects of refugees.

EU Foreign Ministers next meet in Brussels on 15 February.