Fourth progress report on the Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration

The Partnership Framework under the European Agenda for Migration was launched in June 2016 as the EU's comprehensive approach to address the challenges of irregular migration and its root causes as part of the broader cooperation with our partners.

One year on, the Partnership Framework has brought better coordination of the positions and efforts of the EU and Member States towards third countries. The cooperation has moved to a new stage with the five priority countries identified last June, but also with a broader range of countries of origin and transit, in both Africa and Asia.

In the space of one year, several partner countries have adopted or reviewed migration management strategies and legislation, in cooperation with the EU. European migration liaison officers are now present in 12 partner countries. Cooperation to tackle smuggling has intensified, also with the support of the European Border and Coast Guard and Europol. Steps have been taken to facilitate returns including through negotiations on readmission agreements or other forms of standard operating procedures with several countries.

Under the EU's initiative, new formats for regional cooperation between countries of origin and transit have been launched. There is now an established partnership with the International Organisation for Migration to organise Assisted Voluntary Returns and reintegration in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a closer cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The EU Trust Fund for Africa has backed up this political engagement with 118 projects approved, for a total amount of almost €1.9 billion.

In most of the cases, this has allowed to build on the joint interest and shared responsibility of EU Member States and partners to address irregular migration, often overcoming deep-seated differences. However, there have been setbacks, and in some instances long-standing resistance to cooperation has re-emerged.

This Fourth Progress Report presents the key developments and progress achieved since March 2017. It includes the steps taken with regard to the Central Mediterranean Route – where the EU has increased its efforts significantly, notably with Libya, in line with the Malta Declaration and the Joint Communication of 25 January 2017.

Furthermore, after one year of implementation of the Partnership Framework, the Report also provides the lessons learned, the key remaining challenges, and how this can be driven forward in order to achieve all objectives set out by the Partnership Framework as confirmed by the European Council.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Partnership Framework on Migration: Commission reports on results and lessons learnt one year on http://www.europeansources.info/record/partnership-framework-on-migration-commission-reports-on-results-and-lessons-learnt-one-year-on/

---