EU: European Council draft Conclusions on migration
11 October 2017
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EU
European Council draft Conclusions on migration
11.10.17
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The European Council (19 October 2017) - Draft conclusions (LIMITE doc no: 11572-17, pdf) say on migration [emphasis added throughout]:
"To consolidate and deepen this approach on all migration routes, the European Council further calls for:
- continued full commitment to our cooperation with Turkey on migration as well as support to the Western Balkans;
- reducing the attractiveness of illegal migration through enhanced returns, effective readmission agreements and arrangements and by making full use of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which should be further strengthened;
- enhancing information and data sharing within the EU, between Member States, JHA agencies, CSDP missions and operations, as well as with international partners; in this context, the European Council calls for the extension of the operational joint investigation teams to relevant countries;
- mobilising all relevant EU policies, instruments and tools, including visa, development and trade, as necessary leverage in order to pursue specific and measurable results in terms of preventing illegal migration and returning irregular migrants."
See: Statewatch Analysis: The EU goes to war with African “elite” (pdf) and Migration, EU cooperation and authoritarianism (pdf)
"As concerns the Central Mediterranean route, the European Council
-will continue to support Italy and other Member States in their efforts to reduce the flows and increase returns, as well as to build strong cooperation with countries of origin, transit and departure; (...)
- reiterates the importance of working with the Libyan authorities and all neighbours of Libya to enhance border management capacity and underscores the urgency of supporting the development of local communities in Libya along the migratory routes; (..)"
See: CoE: Commissioner seeks clarifications over Italy’s maritime operations in Libyan territorial waters and Letter (pdf)
"- encourages work underway to rapidly establish a permanent EU presence in Libya, taking account of the conditions on the ground."
See: Restricted document outlines official proposals and recommendations for future EU actions in Libya (pdf)
The conclusions also concern the EU's digital strategy and security and defence.
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