Communication to the European Council and the Council. Managing the refugee crisis: immediate operational, budgetary and legal measures under the European Agenda on Migration

Every day, thousands of people are forced to flee their homes to escape violence and seek refuge, in their own countries or abroad. The scale of displacement is immense and, as conflicts persist, the numbers are growing. Almost 60 million people are displaced worldwide – the world has not seen so many people fleeing conflict since the Second World War.

The current large numbers of refuges, migrants and displaced persons arriving at our borders is a test for the European Union. The European Agenda for Migration presented by the Commission in May set out the need for a comprehensive approach to migration management. Since then, a number of measures have been introduced – including the adoption of two emergency schemes to relocate 160,000 people in need of international protection from the Member States most affected to other EU Member States. The current refugee crisis, however, requires further, immediate action.

The purpose of this Communication is to identify a set of priority actions to be taken within the next six months. Short term actions to stabilise the current situation must be coupled with longer term measures to establish a robust system that will bear the test of time. We are not starting from scratch: we already have legislation, financial resources and arrangements in place that are designed to cope with the current situation. The problem is that in many cases they have not been implemented, are not known or are insufficiently exploited.

The list of priority actions (see Annex I) sets out the key measures immediately required in terms of: (i) operational measures; (ii) budgetary support (iii) implementation of EU law and (iv) next legislative steps. The Commission is already implementing those actions within its responsibility. This now needs to be matched by coordinated action by Member States.

Together we must show the world that the Union is capable of managing this crisis. Doing so requires all Member States to play their part to ensure that the balance between solidarity and responsibility is maintained.

ESO: Background information: Managing the refugee crisis: Immediate operational, budgetary and legal measures under the European Agenda on Migration http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-managing-the-refugee-crisis-immediate-operational-budgetary-and-legal-measures-under-the-european-agenda-on-migration/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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