Brussels, 20/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - As part of their discussion on the situation in Libya at the European Council on 19-20 March, the heads of state and government regretted the “continuing loss of migrants' lives at sea, greatly increased by organised people smugglers and human traffickers”. The 28 EU member states reiterated the need to implement the actions, agreed by the Council in October 2014, to manage migratory flows better, including by “strengthening Triton” (the Frontex operation in the Central Mediterranean).
The heads of state and government again said that “a more concerted effort is needed to increase the EU's support to the countries of origin and transit”. The Council conclusions state that the European Council welcomed the Commission's initiative to submit in May a European agenda for migration built around the objectives of an effective asylum policy, well-managed legal migration, the fight against and the prevention of illegal migration and securing the external borders.
“We spoke about the current operations, like Frontex, which focus on the safety of refugees. It was stressed that Europe could combine its actions more, and that the ministers for justice and home affairs could develop a common strategy. This is not only an issue of domestic policy”, said Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel after the meeting.
Italy has recently distributed a non-paper on migratory flows, which was presented in Brussels last week by Italy's interior minister Angelino Alfano. In particular, Italy wants to involve the most reliable third countries more (like Egypt or Tunisia) in preventing the departure of migrants and to include these countries gradually in the assistance operations at sea. Naval units from third countries could thus be involved, at the request of the Italian authorities. The EU and UN agencies could help these missions financially, and Rome insists that the rescue operation at sea could be shared between Italy and the third countries. (Solenn Paulic with JC and CG)