The leaders of the EU27 will also be discussing migration on Friday 15 December, and will take stock of the various actions undertaken, particularly with third countries, based on a new letter from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. They could also mention the instrumentalisation of migration currently taking place on the border between Finland and Russia.
While negotiations on the ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’ continue, with the next trilogue sessions scheduled for early next week, the President of the Commission reminded the plenary session of the European Parliament on Wednesday 13 December that “over the last six months, the pressure on our external borders has continued to rise. Not only in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean, but also in the Atlantic and, more recently, at Finland’s eastern border” with “a reckless hybrid attack orchestrated by Russia”.
“This is yet another proof that immigration is a European challenge that requires European solutions”, she told MEPs.
Recalling past work, in particular action against migrant smugglers, she also stressed that immigration “is part of a much broader picture – that includes border management and anti-smuggling, but also people-to-people exchanges, trade, and job creation”.
This “approach is beginning to show results in Tunisia, where irregular departures from Sfax have slowed down”, assured the President, who hopes soon to reach an agreement with Egypt.
In her letter to the leaders, the President details these various actions, starting with the EU’s external borders, for which protection has received an additional €473 million in funding. The President also announced, with regard to returns, the establishment of a security list for the first quarter of 2024 for the return of illegal immigrants who pose a risk to internal security.
She also calls on the Member States to agree to the budget increase requested as part of the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework, so that this all-out action on all aspects of migration can continue.
Link to the President’s letter: https://aeur.eu/f/a4f (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with the editorial staff)