Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the work of the Task Force Mediterranean

On 3 October 2013, a boat with around 500 migrants sank off the coast of Lampedusa. The loss of human lives triggered a strong call for action from European leaders and European citizens.

The Task Force Mediterranean (TFM) was set up following the JHA Council of 7-8 October 2013. Its establishment was welcomed at the October European Council. There, it was made clear that determined action should be taken in order to prevent deaths at sea and to prevent such human tragedies from happening again. This action would be targeted at the provision of protection, guided by the principle of solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility with a strong external oriented component.

During the discussion at the meetings of the Task Force and on the basis of the mandate, it emerged that a comprehensive range of measures must be used following an integrated approach for the whole Mediterranean area, as the tragic events of Lampedusa are part of a long standing and comprehensive challenge. They include, among other areas:
- assistance and reinforced dialogue with countries of origin and transit in line with the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility;
- a renewed focus on resettlement and regional protection efforts;
- legal channels to safely access the European Union to be explored, as well as a general focus on increased resettlement efforts;
- the fight against trafficking and smuggling of human beings and criminal networks;
- ensuring a speedy and sustainable return of migrants in a humane and dignified manner;
- strengthening the management of the EU's external borders;
- implementation of the recently adopted Eurosur Regulation; and
- the support to Member States facing pressure on their migration and asylum systems.

The actions contained in this communication follow this holistic approach, while focusing on immediate and practical solutions that could complement ongoing activities in the whole of the Mediterranean in the short term.

All actions under this communication will have to be fully compliant with international human rights standards, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, the principle of non-refoulement and the applicable EU acquis. When personal data are involved, particular care should be devoted to the full implementation of applicable provisions.

This communication is presented for discussion at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 5-6 December 2013. The outcomes of the discussion will be presented by the Presidency to the European Council on 19-20 December.

In the follow-up to this communication, appropriate consideration should be given to the resources and assets that could be made available, within the existing budget constraints, by all actors involved in order to implement the actions and achieve the overall objective of preventing tragedies such as Lampedusa from happening again in the future. The European Commission will regularly report to the Council and the European Parliament on progress made on the implementation of the TFM communication.

EUR-Lex: COM(2013)869: Follow the progress of this communication through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2013:869:FIN

ESO: Background information: Lampedusa follow up: concrete actions to prevent loss of life in the Mediterranean and better address migratory and asylum flows http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-lampedusa-follow-up-concrete-actions-to-prevent-loss-of-life-in-the-mediterranean-and-better-address-migratory-and-asylum-flows/

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