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TunisiaEU ministers stress need to address external aspects of migration through common approach
May 24, 2016
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EU foreign affairs ministers meeting at the EU Council on 23 May in Brussels, stressed the need to accelerate the work related to the external aspects of migration and the urgency of strengthening the EU’s common approach.
The Council welcomed “the work done on the Eastern Mediterranean route to manage the large refugee and irregular migration flows along the Western Balkans route and underlines the importance of further decisive steps taken in the implementation of the 18th March EU-Turkey statement.” It reaffirmed its support to Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, and called for pledges to be disbursed promptly and EU Compacts for Jordan and Lebanon to be finalised to enhance support to refugees and host communities in both countries.
Regarding the Central Mediterranean route, the Council highlighted the importance of the work to be undertaken at the request of and in partnership with the Libyan Government on a comprehensive approach to manage migration, which includes the fight against smugglers and traffickers, as well as capacity building and training of Libyan coastguard and Navy as one of the two further supporting tasks to be implemented by EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia. “Work will be carried forward to this end to amend the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia as well as the possible setting up of an increased civilian CSDP [Common Security and Defense Policy] presence in Libya, including on border management assistance, in addition to existing EU funded capacity building projects,” said the Council Conclusions.
EU Ministers stressed the importance of tackling the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, including through conflict prevention and resolution in order to better manage mixed migratory flows. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
Read more
Council conclusions on external aspects of migration (23-05-2016)
Council Conclusions on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia (23-05-2016)
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre webpage – migration
Countries covered:
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Jordan
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Lebanon
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Libya
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