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

The Partnership Framework is now established as the EU approach to address the challenge of irregular migration and its root causes as part of the broader cooperation with third countries. The European Council has been tracking progress and at its last meeting in December 2016, called upon Member States to continue and step up engagement so as to progress on "stemming the flows and improving return rates".

This Third Progress Report presents the progress made since December. Engagement with the five priority countries identified in the June 2016 Communication has continued to develop. In line with the European Council Conclusions of December, this report will also look beyond the five priority countries.

In particular, the report reflects the current focus on the Central Mediterranean route, responding to the continued high number of crossings on this route and the unacceptable level of deaths in the Mediterranean. A dedicated section of the Report sets out the first steps taken to implement the actions agreed in the Malta Declaration adopted by the Heads of State or Government at the informal summit in Malta on 3 February 2017, notably measures to save lives, step up the fight against smugglers and traffickers, protect migrants and improve migration and border management, in close cooperation with North African countries, and in particular with Libya.

Given the close link between the Partnership Framework and the work to take forward the Valletta Declaration and Joint Valletta Action Plan, the Report takes into account the results of the Senior Officials Meeting on 8 February.

With the Partnership Framework approach in place and with concrete objectives and actions identified and under way, the task now is to increase tangible results in all areas of cooperation. Progress in reducing flows and increasing returns needs to be stepped up in view of the upcoming summer season. Work needs to intensify to build a common understanding between the EU and partner countries of the issues at stake and how to address them, to carry this forward into concrete results, and to strengthen further the good cooperation between the EU and the Member States.

The Commission, in close cooperation with the European External Action Service, will take stock of the approach and its results in reducing irregular migration flows, addressing its root causes and improving return rates when it reports in June 2017, one year on from the launch of the Partnership Framework.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Third progress report on the Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration http://www.europeansources.info/record/third-progress-report-on-the-partnership-framework-with-third-countries-under-the-european-agenda-on-migration/

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