Monday, April 20, 2015

Mediterranean tragedies: EU ministers agree on 10-point plan on migration

European Union foreign and interior ministers agreed on April 20 to a 10-point plan in response to the crisis in the Mediterranean, which has seen a succession of tragedies with crossing attempts by migrant boats from Africa ending in several hundred drownings.

“We need to show that same collective European sense of urgency we have consistently shown in reacting in times of crisis,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said in a joint statement.

The dire situation in the Mediterranean was not a new nor a passing reality, they said.

This was why the European Commission would come forward with a comprehensive European Agenda on Migration in May to address the structural problems.

“The 10 actions we have agreed on today are the direct, substantial measures we will take to make an immediate difference,” Mogherini and Avramopoulos said.

“All of these actions require our common effort, the European institutions and the 28 member states.”

They said that the proposals would be put to the European Council which will hold a special meeting on April 23 to address the situation in the Mediterranean.

“This is what Europe taking responsibility is – all of us working together,” they said.

The 10 points are, as stated in the declaration after the meeting:

* Reinforce the Joint Operations in the Mediterranean, namely Triton and Poseidon, by increasing the financial resources and the number of assets. We will also extend their operational area, allowing us to intervene further, within the mandate of Frontex;

* A systematic effort to capture and destroy vessels used by the smugglers. The positive results obtained with the Atalanta operation should inspire us to similar operations against smugglers in the Mediterranean;

* EUROPOL, FRONTEX, EASO and EUROJUST will meet regularly and work closely to gather information on smugglers modus operandi, to trace their funds and to assist in their investigation;

* EASO to deploy teams in Italy and Greece for joint processing of asylum applications;

* Member States to ensure fingerprinting of all migrants;

* Consider options for an emergency relocation mechanism;

* A EU wide voluntary pilot project on resettlement, offering a number of places to persons in need of protection;

* Establish a new return programme for rapid return of irregular migrants coordinated by Frontex from frontline Member States;

* Engagement with countries surrounding Libya through a joined effort between the Commission and the EEAS; initiatives in Niger have to be stepped up.

* Deploy Immigration Liaison Officers (ILO) in key third countries, to gather intelligence on migratory flows and strengthen the role of the EU Delegations.

[sofiaglobe.com]
20/4/15
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3 comments:

  1. EU migrant plan calls for destruction of smugglers' boats...

    Reuters
    BRUSSELS: New proposals to tackle a migration crisis in the Mediterranean include destroying smugglers' boats and a new programme to send migrants home, the European Commission said on Monday.

    The plan put forward by the Commission also calls for the reinforcing of EU border control operations in the Mediterranean with more money and equipment and extending its operational area.

    It proposes a "systematic effort to capture and destroy vessels used by smugglers" and set up a new programme for the rapid return of migrants.

    EU Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos also said the Commission will propose a pilot programme to share resettlement of migrants across the 28-member bloc.
    dailystar.com.lb
    20/4/15

    ReplyDelete
  2. EU announces proposals to address migration crisis...

    The EU has unveiled a ten-point action plan to stem the tide of migrants crossing the Mediterranean after the latest disastrous loss of life, promising to step up both control and rescue operations.

    The European Commission said the plan, approved by EU foreign and interior ministers at an emergency meeting in Luxembourg, will be submitted to a summit on Thursday as the 28-member bloc tries to halt a growing death toll off its southern shores.

    New proposals to tackle a migration crisis include destroying smugglers' boats and a new programme to send migrants home.........rte.ie
    20/4/15

    ReplyDelete
  3. Naufrages en Méditerranée : l'UE présente un plan en 10 points...

    Après la série noire de naufrages ayant entraîné la mort de centaines de migrants en Méditerranée, les Vingt-Huit ont présenté un plan visant à empêcher que ces tragédies se renouvellent. Un sommet européen extraordinaire doit se tenir jeudi.

    L'Union européenne va tenir jeudi 23 avril un sommet extraordinaire pour répondre en urgence au drame des migrants en Méditerranée, après une série noire de naufrages qui aurait fait plusieurs centaines de victimes.

    Le dernier a eu lieu près de l'île grecque de Rhodes, où un voilier s'est échoué lundi 20 avril sur des rochers. Trois migrants, dont un enfant, ont péri, et 93 personnes ont pu être sauvées au cours d'une impressionnante opération de secours à quelques mètres du rivage.

    "Nous ne pouvons pas continuer comme cela, nous ne pouvons accepter que des centaines de personnes meurent en essayant de traverser la mer pour venir en Europe", a affirmé le président du Conseil européen, Donald Tusk, en annonçant la réunion extraordinaire des chefs d'État et de gouvernement jeudi........france24.com
    20/4/15

    ReplyDelete

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