Progress report on the implementation of the European Agenda on Migration

Summary:

Report presented on 16 October 2019 by the European Commission on key progress under the European Agenda on Migration since 2015, with focus on steps taken by the EU since the last progress report in March 2019.

Further information:

This report will inform the discussions at the October 2019 European Council. It looks back at the key elements of the EU response since 2015, as well as focusing on the steps taken by the EU since the last progress report in March 2019. That report identified a number of immediate key steps required for action on the Mediterranean routes in particular, as well as progress on ongoing work to consolidate the EU’s toolbox on migration, borders and asylum.

Background:

Four years ago, the European Union faced an exceptional challenge when around two million people arrived at its shores in the space of two years, in search of refuge or a new life, often risking their lives to escape war, political oppression or poverty. Faced with the human tragedy unfolding in the Mediterranean, the EU took swift and determined action to avert the loss of life at sea. However, at the time, the EU lacked a collective policy on migration management and border security.

It quickly became clear that Member States could not address the challenge of migration alone and that it was only through common European solutions that it could be addressed effectively. In May 2015, the European Commission presented a comprehensive European Agenda on Migration intended to address immediate challenges and equip the EU with the tools to better manage migration in the medium and long term in the areas of irregular migration, borders, asylum and legal migration.

Since then, the European Agenda on Migration has guided the work of the Commission, EU agencies and Member States. This led to the development of a new EU migration infrastructure, with new laws, new systems for coordination and cooperation, and direct operational and financial support from the EU. Though there is still ground to cover, the progress made over the past few years should not be underestimated.

European Commission: Press Release, 16/10/2019: European Agenda on Migration four years on: Marked progress needs consolidating in face of volatile situation https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-6075_en.htm

European Commission: Speech, 16/10/2019: Remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos on progress made under the European Agenda on Migration https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-19-6112_en.htm

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