Earlier in Asia, the European Council (EUCO) President Tusk announced that the EU 28 leaders have reached an agreement on the migration policy following more than nine hours of talks.
Reuters is out with main the excerpts of their agreement, found below.
“The European Council reconfirms that a precondition for a functioning EU policy relies on a comprehensive approach to migration which combines more effective control of the EU’s external borders… This is a challenge not only for a single Member State, but for Europe as a whole.
The European Council is determined… to prevent a return to the uncontrolled flows of 2015 and to further stem illegal migration on all existing and emerging routes.
As regards the Central Mediterranean Route, efforts to stop smugglers operating out of Libya or elsewhere should be further intensified. The EU will continue to stand by Italy and other frontline Member States in this respect.
As regards the Eastern Mediterranean Route, additional efforts are needed to fully implement the EU-Turkey Statement, prevent new crossings from Turkey and bring the flows to a halt… More efforts are urgently needed to ensure swift returns and prevent the development of new sea or land routes… In the light of the recent increase in flows in the Western Mediterranean, the EU will support, financially and otherwise, all efforts by Member States, especially Spain, and countries of origin and transit, in particular Morocco, to prevent illegal migration.
Tackling the migration problem at its core requires a partnership with Africa aiming at a substantial socio-economic transformation of the African continent…
In the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Council underlines the need for flexible instruments, allowing for fast disbursement, to combat illegal migration. The internal security, integrated border management, asylum and migration funds should therefore include dedicated, significant components for external migration management.
The European Council recalls the need for Member States to ensure the effective control of the EU’s external borders with EU financial and material support. It also underlines the necessity to significantly step up the effective return of irregular migrants.”
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