Managing migration along the Central Mediterranean Route – Commission contributes to Malta discussion

On 25 January 2017 the European Commission and the High Representative set out their contribution to the discussion on how to better manage migration and save lives along the Central Mediterranean route.

The Commission and the High Representative presented a number of additional measures to strengthen the EU's work along this route, in particular with and around Libya. These actions were focused on fighting human smuggling and trafficking networks, helping to manage migratory flows more effectively, continuing to save lives at sea and improving the living conditions of migrants and refugees in Libya and neighbouring countries.

Commentators noted that the European Commission and the EU High Representative came out against a suggestion from the Maltes EU Presidency for the EU to negotiate a similar deal with Libya to the 2016 EU-Turkey deal on migration.

The issue was due to be discussed at the Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, Valletta, Malta, 26-27 January 2017 and also at the Informal meeting of EU heads of state or government, Valletta, Malta, 3 February 2017.
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