The Home Affairs ministers of the EU27 will be invited on Thursday 28 September to discuss the development of a “preventive model” to deal with irregular immigration into the EU and the means of financing this model, according to the discussion paper to be submitted by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU as part of the planned discussion on the external dimension of migration.
At a time when the EU27 have been called upon by Rome and the European Commission to voluntarily take responsibility for some of the thousands of migrants who arrived on Lampedusa in the week of 11 September, and when the Commission has begun the first disbursements under the EU-Tunisia agreement, the Spanish Presidency will propose that they hear directly from Italy on the recent situation and on the 10-point action plan announced by the Commission on 17 September (see EUROPE 13252/7).
“Also, [they will be able] to express their views on the EU’s external dimension on migration and improvements it needs to be more effective and preventive”.
The following questions will be put forward for discussion: “ - In order to tackle irregular arrivals to the EU, particularly those occurring at sea, what elements do you consider essential for an effective ‘preventive model’ of the EU and its Member States in the fight against irregular immigration?; - What aspects should be prioritized for the proper funding of a ‘preventive model’ in all routes (focused on acting in advance to the illegal arrivals at the EU’s external borders)?”
Permanent state of crisis
With regard to migratory challenges, the efforts made by the EU and its Member States have been highly reactive in nature, sometimes giving the impression that the Union is in a state of permanent ‘crisis management’, describes the Presidency in a note dated 22 September.
“Preventing irregular migration is an area in which the EU and its Member States have significant room for progress”, with the Presidency wanting to move forward on a preventive model based on greater mutual trust with countries of origin and transit and on regular joint operational cooperation, including, for example, joint patrols, joint operational centres and the exchange of information to dismantle networks.
On the financial side, the Presidency believes that it is possible to improve the quantity and duration of use of these funds to support border management in countries of origin and transit or their fight against human trafficking or smuggling networks, as well as the number of beneficiaries. These aspects are of the utmost interest to our partners.
Consideration should also be given to strengthening Frontex’s missions in these countries of origin and transit.
However, the note makes no mention of a possible new EU mission at sea.
Link to the note: https://aeur.eu/f/8q2 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)