Von der Leyen: Letter to the “27” on Immigration ahead of the Summit – “A European response is needed”

The President of the European Commission sent a letter on the migration policy of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen to the leaders of the member states in view of the European Council that will take place on February 9 and 10 in Brussels. The President of the Commission speaks of a “European challenge” to which a “European response” is needed and notes that “geopolitical instability, demographic trends and climate change further intensify the pressures”. He also underlines the need for an agreement on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, noting that “the Pact will shift the dynamic from one where gaps and gaps hinder what we can do, to one where different work streams reinforce each other ». The President of the Commission in her letter also emphasizes that efforts will continue to ensure the full implementation of the EU-Turkey joint statement.

In particular, Ursula von der Leyen states that “immigration is a European challenge for which we must give a European response. Last year saw increased demands on immigration management. Geopolitical instability, demographic trends and climate change further intensify the pressures. The EU saw a significant increase in irregular arrivals on Mediterranean and Western Balkan routes, the highest rates since 2016. Migration management is also high on the list of issues where citizens expect a strong EU response.”

He adds that “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has caused the largest forced displacement of people in Europe since Second World War. The activation of temporary protection for those leaving Ukraine was both unprecedented and decisive. However, hosting around four million people fleeing Ukraine continues to require huge efforts from communities across the EU, first and foremost those closest to Ukraine, and the Commission will continue to support them as a priority.”

“The risk that our response will fail will remain until it is enacted New Deal on Migration and Asylum. The Pact will shift the dynamic from one where gaps and shortcomings hinder what we can do, to one where different work streams reinforce each other. Alongside the Pact, the Commission has put forward proposals to strengthen the EU’s capacity to tackle machine-tooling, new rules for transport operators and to strengthen our borders through a modernized Schengen Borders Code,” adds President of the Commission.

At the same time, he notes that “the joint road map of the European Parliament and the Council Presidencies was a key recognition of the urgency of progress towards an agreement. Good progress has been made on the legislative work and the Swedish and Spanish Presidencies should have our full support in reaching an agreement before the end of this legislative term.

But the imperative to agree a structural solution does not mean we cannot act now. Instead, in recent years we have already expanded our toolbox for border management and migration, with stronger actors, more resources, more targeted work on migration with key partners. We have been able to respond to sudden demands: with policy interventions to address the instrumentalization of migrants from Belarus and promote visa alignment in the Western Balkans, with better coordination through the Solidarity Platform for Ukraine and the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism, or with funding from EU for Member States and Key Partners’.

THE President of the Commission it states that “work continues on the implementation of the action plans for the Western Balkans and the Central Mediterranean, which address the specificities of each of these routes. We will work towards a more coordinated approach to search and rescue, with the aim of facilitating better cooperation between Member States and vessels owned or operated by private operators. Migration pressure or other routes such as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean will continue to be addressed. We will continue efforts to ensure the full implementation of the EU-Turkey statement. At the same time, compliance with applicable rules and standards must be ensured for the proper functioning of the system. To this end, the Commission and EU agencies will continue to support Member States.”

“In the appendix to this letter, I list four areas where we can make a real difference in the immediate future. These operational measures will enable us to deal with recent pressures, help us to be better prepared for developments this year and lay the groundwork for the new Pact.

*Strengthening external borders with the coordinated deployment of EU resources at strategic points, taking into account the differences between land and sea borders, and supporting our work with better information and early warning. Key to this is also working in a more targeted way with partners in the Mediterranean and the Western Balkans to allow issues to be tackled closer to their source.

*Addressing the reality that delays and loopholes in border and return procedures have real costs to the effectiveness of these policies. We can already look at ways of speeding up border procedures, applying safe third country concepts more systematically and using EU cooperation to help national efforts to enhance return, including by recognizing each other’s return decisions.

• Linked to this is the need to deal with secondary displacement and ensure effective solidarity. Focusing on the implementation of the Dublin Roadmap will help reduce incentives for secondary travel by allowing Member States to work together. In addition, support to the most stressed Member States should be stepped up, including through effective relocation using the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism, which should act as a precursor to a permanent mechanism.

* Strengthening work with partners to improve migration and return management. In our external funding, we significantly exceed the 10% target for immigration-related spending. This year, border management and anti-trafficking projects in North Africa and the Western Balkans will exceed half a billion euros. Bringing together the different aspects of EU relations will allow us to build on progress on migration as a central element of wider relations with key partners. Setting the right incentives with a whole-of-state approach in various policy areas is crucial to support engagement with partner countries, with an important focus on Africa,” explains Ursula von der Leyen in the letter.

“These operational measures have a common thread. Their effectiveness depends on how well we work together. This can mean sharing staff and equipment, providing solidarity and speaking with one voice to our partners. A willingness to cooperate and share information will help us all have a good picture of the situation, ensure a coordinated response and increase our effectiveness in preventing irregular migration. Recognizing that working together to ensure faster asylum and return processes, improve reception standards and improve solidarity measures benefits us all.

This approach will be fully implemented once the New Deal on Migration and Asylum comes into force. But we can send a strong message from the European Council: that this year, we can take huge steps towards mutual trust and mutual support, the foundations for a dynamic and successful common EU approach to migration” concludes the President of the Commission.

RES-EMP

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