In a joint statement published in Paris on Monday 28 August, the leaders of France, Germany, Spain and Italy and Chad, Niger and Libya undertook to step up their efforts to contain migration flows to the EU by Libya and to promote development prospects in the African countries of origin and transit.
Invited to Paris by Emanuel Macron of France, Angela Merkel of Germany, Mariano Rajoy of Spain and Italy's Paolo Gentiloni, Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger and the head of the Libyan government of national unity, Fayez al-Sarraj, discussed options to stem flows to Europe and drafted a short-term action plan.
This action plan will include efforts to tackle traffickers and to dismantle their networks by developing improved ways of identifying the culprits and these groups, many of which also have links to terrorism, the French President said.
Targeted local development actions for communities whose members have been tempted into the trafficking of human beings will also be undertaken.
The action plan moreover includes the stabilisation of Libya under the leadership of the UN and reinforcing the capacity of the Libyan coastguards.
There are no immediate solutions, but we are all committed to reduce the damage, in other words people dying in the desert and in the Mediterranean, and to prevent migrants from swelling the ranks of terrorists, as they occasionally do, said Chadian President Deby Itno. He said that the crisis in Libya acts as an incubator of this situation.
Towards opening up legal channels from transit countries
On Monday, the seven leaders also agreed on cooperation with the IOM and UNHCR to be stepped up to develop host infrastructures for the migrants already on Libyan soil, in full respect of international rules.
As regards the displacement of migrants, the leaders agreed to develop hosting and identification zones in Chad and Niger for migrants eligible to claim asylum in Europe. These individuals, once identified by UNHCR, will be authorised to start their asylum application procedures from these zones, so that they do not have to attempt a dangerous journey.
The political leaders also agreed to discuss ways of supporting returns to the countries of origin and supporting economic development in Africa.
President Issoufou of Niger expressed his satisfaction at the fact that the root causes of migration, such as climate disruption and terrorism, are to be addressed. We need to come out of crisis in Libya and support countries that are fighting Boko Haram, as these things are all related, he said.
These leaders will take stock of these actions in November at the EU/Africa summit of Abidjan. Spain, furthermore, is soon to host a meeting African Union. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with Mathieu Bion)