Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A European statement issued in Brussels on Friday evening said, "The interior ministers discussed the current situation along the migration routes, taking into account the urgent challenges and the common way forward."
In the past years, we have taken a number of measures to jointly address the migration challenges we face. However, more can and must be done to find more sustainable solutions and adapt to the ever-evolving situation. At Friday's meeting, the ministers reiterated their commitment to finding concrete joint solutions that can be implemented immediately, while working closely together on completing ongoing immigration reform as soon as possible.
The Ministers emphasized the importance of paying close attention to all roads, based on a whole road approach. They affirmed the unity of the European Union in facing current and future challenges.
At the end of the meeting, the Federation Presidency issued a summary in which it highlighted a number of principles to move forward jointly, including:
Continued commitment to building a more flexible migration and asylum system and dedicating all efforts to find a compromise on reform of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact as soon as possible.
The need to intensify EU support and cooperation with all partner countries and organizations to prevent departures and avoid loss of life, to address the root causes of migration and to combat smuggling networks and to significantly improve returns and readmissions.
Welcoming the Commission's Action Plan around the Central Mediterranean as well as its willingness to develop similar action plans for other routes, starting with the Western Balkans route.
A commitment to increase efforts to implement the solidarity mechanism agreed upon by a number of Member States in June
The need to strengthen coordination and cooperation with all parties involved in search and rescue
The importance of proper protection and management of the external borders of the European Union, and the rejection of all attempts to exploit migrants