Improved coordination between immigration liaison officers: Council agrees its position
The EU is strengthening the cooperation and coordination between liaison officers deployed to third countries by member states or the EU to deal with immigration-related issues.
EU ambassadors today agreed the Council's negotiating position on a proposal to improve the functioning of the existing European network of immigration liaison officers. The negotiating position includes the following provisions:
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-introducing a steering board at EU level to strengthen the management of the network and the coordination of liaison officers, while maintaining the competence of the deploying authorities so as to ensure effectiveness and clear lines of communication
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-strengthening the role of liaison officers in combatting migrant smuggling and collecting information to support border management at the EU's external borders
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-making available funds in support of activities of immigration liaison officers that will be allocated in agreement with the steering board
Cooperation with third countries is an essential aspect of the EU's response to migration. To ensure that this cooperation produces results and that we work together as effectively as possible, close coordination, particularly between our liaison officers on the ground, is essential.
Herbert Kickl, Minister of the Interior of Austria
On the basis of this mandate, the Council Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter has adopted its position.
Background
Immigration liaison officers are deployed to third countries by member states and the EU in order to establish and maintain contacts with the authorities of the host country on migration issues (prevention and combatting of illegal migration, facilitating return, managing legal migration). In 2004, the EU adopted a regulation creating a European network of immigration liaison officers to coordinate the efforts of officers within a third-country or region.
However, with almost 500 immigration liaison officers currently deployed by member states to more than 100 countries, gaps in coordination persist. Moreover, as part of the comprehensive EU response to migration the role of liaison officers in certain fields could be expanded. To respond to this, the European Commission presented a proposal for a regulation to strengthen the European network of immigration liaison officers on 17 May 2018.