Communication on establishing a new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration

Despite increased efforts by the EU, deaths in the Mediterranean Sea occur on a daily basis. Europe is currently experiencing unprecedented migratory flows, driven by geopolitical and economic factors that will continue, and maybe intensify, over the coming years and indeed it is a global challenge with more than 60 million displaced persons worldwide. They are fuelled by unscrupulous smugglers who seek to benefit from the desperation of the vulnerable. Europe is duty bound to respond; to address the fate of migrants and refugees; to show its citizens that migration, including on the scale we see today, can be managed in a sustainable way. The present Communication explains how the EU's external action will help achieve these goals.

Since the adoption of the European Agenda on Migration in May 2015 much has been done, not least beyond the EU's borders. Hundreds of thousands of people have been rescued at sea. The Valletta Summit in November 2015 brought migration issues to the heart of the EU's relations with African countries. The EU-Turkey Statement established new ways to bring order into migration flows and save lives. Its impact was immediate. To deliver the necessary assistance the new EU financial instruments are helping create a better future at home for those who might otherwise have been ready to risk their lives on the dangerous journey to Europe. These actions illustrate the EU's willingness to address specific migratory challenges, but also the long-term drivers of migration.

However, much more needs to be done. The EU is still faced with a humanitarian crisis. Third countries and EU partners are housing millions of refugees, many of them unaccompanied minors, forced to leave their homes, and economic migrants who aspire to come to Europe. Reports suggest that there are tens of thousands of migrants in Libya today, looking for ways to enter the EU, with the number of arrivals increasing every day.

To respond in a meaningful way, the EU must use all means available and set itself clear priorities and measurable objectives. Development and neighbourhood policy tools should reinforce local capacity-building, including for border control, asylum, counter-smuggling and reintegration efforts. All actors – Member States, EU institutions and key third countries – need to work together in partnership to bring order into migratory flows. In parallel, work is needed to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement by applying sustained, medium and long term policies and to better use existing processes and programmes. All of this work must take place in a context which fully respects international law and fundamental rights. This is the idea of a new Partnership Framework.

This Partnership Framework should enhance support for those in need in their countries of origin and transit. It should help develop safe and sustainable reception capacities and provide lasting prospects close to home for refugees and their families in third countries affected by migratory pressure. It must create genuine prospects of resettlement to the EU to discourage irregular and dangerous journeys.

An essential element underpinning this is a coherent, credible and effective policy with regard to the return of illegally staying third country nationals, which fully respects human rights and the dignity of the persons concerned as well as the principle of non-refoulement. Standing ready to provide greater support to those partner countries which make the greatest efforts, but without shying away from negative incentives, EU assistance and policies should be tailored to produce concrete results in stemming the flow of irregular migrants.

As such, the Partnership Framework will not only help respond to crises through immediate and measurable results, but also lay the foundations of an enhanced cooperation with countries of origin, transit and destination with a well-managed migration and mobility policy at its core.

ESO: Background information: Commission announces New Migration Partnership Framework: reinforced cooperation with third countries to better manage migration http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-announces-new-migration-partnership-framework-reinforced-cooperation-with-third-countries-to-better-manage-migration/

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