DAILY NEWS 

Brussels, 12 March 2024 

 

Commission takes stock of key achievements on migration and asylum

Ahead of the March European Council, the Commission adopted today a Communication taking stock of the achievements in the area of migration and asylum over the last four years. From the beginning of the mandate, the von der Leyen Commission committed to a fresh start on migration and to work towards a sustainable EU framework to manage migration in an effective and humane way. The Commission has made progress on a two-track approach: putting in place sustainable reforms with the Pact on Migration and Asylum, while also working on targeted operational actions to support Member States.

I.  A new EU legal framework on migration and asylum

The Pact on Migration and Asylum was presented by the Commission in 2020. Four years later, the European Parliament and the Council reached political agreement on eleven interlocking laws in a historic breakthrough. The reforms will bring the necessary framework to ensure a fair, efficient migration management common to all EU Member States.

In particular, the Pact will bring:

  • More secure external borders: All irregular migrants will be registered and subject to screening of identity, security, and health. In a second stage, a border procedure will be mandatory for those who are unlikely to need protection, present a security risk or mislead the authorities. Member States will need to have the necessary capacity and adequate conditions to receive asylum seekers and process their claims. Strong legal safeguards will apply, and unaccompanied minors will be exempted from the border procedure unless they pose a security threat. All Member States will need to ensure independent monitoring to ensure the respect of fundamental rights at the borders.
  • Fast and efficient procedures for asylum and return with stronger individual safeguards: The new rules will put in place more effective asylum procedures with shorter time limits and stricter rules for abusive or subsequent applications. These rules are balanced against important guarantees for the rights of individuals, including free legal counselling throughout all procedures, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.  The new rules will also set up EU-wide standards for reception conditions as well as harmonising the qualification and the rights of beneficiaries of international protection.
  • A fair and more effective system of solidarity and responsibility: For the first time, the Union will have in place a permanent solidarity mechanism. No Member State will be left alone under pressure. At the same time, each Member State will contribute to the solidarity efforts in a flexible way and they will be able to choose the type of solidarity they provide. The system will also include effective rules to detect and prevent secondary movements.

II. Targeted operational response

In parallel to the successful reform of the legal framework, the Commission with EU Home Affairs agencies (Frontex, Europol, EUAA) worked intensively to support Member States in addressing immediate needs through operational and targeted actions. In particular, work in the last four years has focused on:

  • A whole-of-route approach, while working together with countries of origin and transit. The Commission has launched four EU Action Plans – focusing on the Western Balkans, Central Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean and Atlantic, and Eastern Mediterranean routes, by reinforcing EU support to Member States with the full range of policy and operational measures tools at EU's disposal. 
  • Strengthening border management with the most technologically advanced border management system in the world. This includes the upgraded European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR), the Migration Preparedness and Crisis Blueprint, and the upgraded Visa Information System. Pilot projects, upgraded now into new cooperation frameworks with Bulgaria and Romania, have proven capable of boosting external border management and reinforced cooperation with neighbouring countries.
  • Targeting criminal networks that smuggle migrants: More than 90% of irregular migrants arrive in the EU through smugglers. The proposed anti-smuggling package of 2023 updates the 20-year-old legal framework and strengthens Europol's role to fight against migrant smuggling. In parallel, a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling was launched with a Call to Action.
  • Stepping up returns: Returns for those with no legal right to stay are an important part of a functioning migration system. With the new Return Roadmap, action is underway to support Member States in speeding up returns and facilitating reintegration. More frequent use of mutual recognition of return decisions is also helping to accelerate the process.
  • Responding to acute needs and crises: by combining support from EU agencies, funding and operational support, the EU has proven that it can rapidly address specific needs. From standing strong and united in protecting the external borders against the instrumentalisation of people by Belarussian and Russian regimes to offering protection to those fleeing Russian's war against Ukraine. In addition, the EU continued to prove its reliability as a continent where protection is guaranteed to those in need, taking up its role as global actor with sustained resettlement efforts.

III. Working with partner countries

Migration is a global reality and an integral part of the deepening relationships the EU has with partners worldwide. The Commission has consistently engaged with international partners in a Team Europe approach to address the root causes of migration, fight migrant smuggling, and promote legal pathways.

  • A new paradigm based on comprehensive partnerships is being developed with many of the countries of origin and transit to the EU, including recent initiatives with Tunisia, Mauritania and Egypt. Under this new approach, migration is embedded into the close cooperation with our partners countries alongside other key areas such economy and trade, investments in green energy, security and people to people relations. The EU and its Member States are the world's leading donor to support refugees, and the largest provider of development assistance.
  • Promoting legal pathways: a key workstream has been to develop legal alternatives in a Team Europe approach under the banner of Talent Partnerships. The Commission has proposed a new approach to attracting and retaining talent,  reflected in the legislative and operational proposals, in particular the Skills and Talent package.
  • Reinforcing readmission cooperation: Developing legal migration must also go hand in hand with strengthened cooperation on readmission. Under Article 25a of the Visa Code, the Commission regularly assesses third countries' cooperation on readmission and reports to the Council.

Next steps

The new legal framework of the Pact will be a game-changer and its full and timely implementation is now key. Following the formal adoption of the Pact proposals, the Commission will lead the collective work, presenting a Common Implementation Plan by June 2024 and accompanying Member States every step of the way with financial, technical and operational support.

The Commission will also continue providing targeted operational support, using all the tools at our disposal to deal with the day-to-day management of acute pressures and crises. This will be done with comprehensive support to Member States, fairness towards migrants and respect for EU and international law.

Lastly, the Commission will continue to strengthen the external dimension of migration by continuing to invest in strong comprehensive partnerships with third countries.

For more information

Communication - Striking a balance on migration: an approach that is both fair and firm

Factsheet

New Pact on Migration and Asylum

Managing migration responsibly

Quote(s)

 

Faced with some of the most intractable issues, and after unsuccessful past attempts, this Commission has shown that the EU can deliver on migration. The historic agreement on the EU Pact on migration and asylum brings a complete overhaul of our migration and border management laws. This will allow generations of Europeans to continue benefitting from the unique, European-trademarked freedoms of the Schengen area. Coupled with the steady stream of measures to address acute issues as they arose, the EU’s Member States are now better equipped than ever before to face constantly evolving and complex challenges of migration, acting together with fairness and firmness.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life

 

We have come a long way in managing migration during these last years. We have put the legal foundations for a fair and effective system. We have equally managed operationally the challenges on the ground. We need now to implement the Pact and continue delivering in practice. With unity and trust we can show that migration can be managed and be an opportunity for our European societies and economies.

Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs

 

 

Commission proposes to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and updates on progress made by Ukraine and Moldova

 

Today, the European Commission recommended to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and discussed the upcoming oral report to the Council on the progress made by Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to address the outstanding steps made in the Commission's Enlargement report of the 8th November. The Commission has also finalised proposals for the draft Negotiating Frameworks with Ukraine and Moldova, which will be submitted to the Council.

As requested by the European Council, the Commission is presenting to the Council a report on progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina. As outlined in the report, since the European Council granted candidate status to the country in December 2022, the public commitment of the political leadership to the strategic goal of European integration was taken forward by important reforms and have brought positive results. Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown strong commitment to move forward on long pending reforms such as the adoption of the law on the prevention of conflict of interests and the law on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing. Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken significant steps to improve the judiciary and prosecutorial system, the fight against  corruption organised crime and terrorism and to improve migration management, with the approval of a mandate to negotiate a Frontex status agreement. Bosnia and Herzegovina has reached and maintained full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is a significant positive step and crucial in these times of geopolitical turmoil.

In light of the results achieved since 2022, the Commission considers that Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved the necessary level of compliance with the membership criteria. Therefore, the Commission recommends to the Council to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, the Commission recommends that the Council adopts the negotiating framework once Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken further steps in line with the Commission's report. The Commission is ready to report back to the Council about the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina in relation to these steps.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Since we granted candidate status, Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken impressive steps forward. More progress has been achieved in just over a year than in a whole decade. Of course, more progress is necessary to join the Union but the country showing that it can deliver on its membership criteria and on its citizens aspirations to be part of our family. This is the reason for which we recommend to the Council to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. And for which we recommend that the Council adopts the negotiating framework once Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken further steps in line with the Commission's report. We remain ready to report back to the Council about the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina on these steps. The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in our Union.”

The Commission has also today put forward proposals for draft negotiating frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova to the Council following the decision by the European Council in December 2023 to open negotiations with both countries and will give oral report to the Council on the progress made by both countries to address the recommendation made in the Commission's Enlargement report of the 8th November.

The negotiating frameworks establish the guidelines and principles for the accession negotiations with each candidate country. The draft frameworks prepared by the European Commission are divided into three parts: 1) principles governing the accession negotiations, 2) substance of the negotiations, and 3) negotiations procedure. The objective of the negotiations is that Ukraine and Moldova adopt the EU acquis in its entirety and ensure its full implementation and enforcement.

The draft negotiating frameworks build on the experience of past enlargements and the on‑going accession negotiations. They integrate the revised enlargement methodology and take into account the evolving EU acquis.

It is now for the Council to begin their internal deliberations on these texts. Once the Council has adopted the negotiating frameworks, the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union will present the agreed-upon  EU Common Position in the first inter-governmental conference with each country, marking the formal start of the accession negotiations. The negotiating frameworks will be made public at this stage.

For more information

European Council of 14-15 December 2023

2023 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy

Bosnia and Herzegovina Report 2023

Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina [it will be available shortly]

Quote(s)

 

Since we granted candidate status, Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken impressive steps forward. More progress has been achieved in just over a year than in a whole decade. Of course, more progress is necessary to join the Union but the country showing that it can deliver on its membership criteria and on its citizens aspirations to be part of our family. This is the reason for which we recommend to the Council to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. And for which we recommend that the Council adopts the negotiating framework once Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken further steps in line with the Commission’s report. We remain ready to report back to the Council about the progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina on these steps. The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in our Union.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

 

Enlargement is more than ever a geostrategic investment in our shared prosperity and security in the entire European continent. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been working hard to seize the historic opportunity. Candidate status brought a much-needed dynamic which needs to continue. The country’s commitment to the EU path has translated into tangible results and the opening of negotiations is a fair acknowledgement of the delivery of an unprecedented critical mass of reforms. Our message is clear. The EU’s door to Bosnia and Herzegovina is fully open and this should incentivize further key reforms in line with EU rules and standards on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU path. To move ahead the EU path of Ukraine and Moldova, the Commission is today presenting the draft Negotiating Frameworks and will also update the Council on the progress made by these two countries to address the recommendations set out in the Commission’s Enlargement report of 8 November.

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

 

Today’s recommendation to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina is sending an important message of support to all their citizens, and a clear signal of EU’s commitment to the country’s EU perspective, as a single, united and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina. The positive dynamic on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s reform path needs to continue. Fighting for its existence for more than two years, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment and has made substantial progress on its EU path. Despite facing hybrid attacks by Russia, Moldova has made further progress in its EU accession reforms and has shown impressive resilience. The presentation of the draft Negotiating Frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova is a step forward in the process.

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell

 

 

Commission welcomes the adoption of EU mandate by the Council for negotiations with Switzerland

 

The Commission welcomes the Council's decision authorising the European Union to enter into negotiations with Switzerland on a broad package of bilateral measures, together with the corresponding negotiating directives.

This follows the Commission's recommendation for a mandate, presented on 20 December 2023, based on the EU-Swiss Common Understanding which was reached after 18 months of intensive exploratory talks. The Swiss Federal Council adopted its mandate to launch negotiations with the EU on 8 March 2024.

A broad and balanced package

The aim of the negotiations is to modernise and deepen bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland. It will also ensure a level playing field for competition between respective companies operating within the internal market and guarantee the protection of the rights of EU citizens in Switzerland, including non-discrimination between citizens of different Member States.

Key elements of the package include:

  • Institutional provisions to be included in existing and future agreements with Switzerland related to the internal market, providing for dynamic alignment with EU law, its uniform interpretation and application, and dispute settlement;
  • An agreement allowing for Switzerland's participation in EU programmes, including Horizon Europe;
  • An agreement on Switzerland's regular and permanent financial contribution to social and economic cohesion in the EU as a counterpart to its participation in the internal market;
  • A relaunch of negotiations towards agreements on electricity, food safety and health and on the participation of Switzerland in the European Union Agencies for the Space Programme and for Railways.

Next Steps

As both sides have now obtained their mandates necessary to commence negotiations, the first formal negotiating round will take place in March. Negotiations on the different elements of the package will be conducted in parallel.

Background

The EU and Switzerland are close neighbours with strong cross border links. The EU is Switzerland's first trading partner, while Switzerland is the fourth largest partner for the EU. About one and a half million EU citizens live in Switzerland, and around 450 000 Swiss citizens live in the EU. A few hundred thousand of EU citizens cross the border daily to work.

Since March 2022, the EU and Switzerland were engaged in exploratory discussions on the future of their bilateral relations. On 15 December 2023, the Commission and the Federal Council published the Common Understanding that provides a written record of the outcome of the exploratory talks.

The EU mandate has been agreed in line with this Common Understanding, reflected in the Commission's recommendation for a mandate, presented on 20 December 2023.

The mandate builds on the 2014 mandate for an institutional framework agreement as well as earlier mandates for agreements on electricity, health, food safety and the participation of Switzerland in the European Union Agencies for the Space Programme and for Railways.

For More Information

EU-Switzerland: Council adopts mandate for negotiations on future relationship

Questions and answers on the mandate for broad package negotiations with Switzerland

Commission proposes mandate for negotiations with Switzerland to Council

Quote(s)

 

The mandate, fully in line with the EU-Swiss Common Understanding, confirms the EU's interest in modernising our partnership with Switzerland and unlocking its full potential. The Commission is ready to keep its foot on the pedal and in the end, turn the upcoming negotiations into a historic step change for our mutual relations. This will be to the benefit of both sides, not least in the new geopolitical reality.

Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight

 

 

 

 

Agenda for Tuesday, 12 March 2024 

12/03/24

+/- 16:30 Press conference by Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Johansson on the Communication on migration and asylum – stocktaking [European Parliament, Strasbourg]

Followed by a read-out of the College meeting / press conference by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič and Commissioner Hoekstra on the Communication on managing climate risks in Europe to protect people and prosperity [European Parliament, Strasbourg]

Follow live here: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/both/20240312

 

 

Commission launches public consultation on protecting sharks and related ecosystems

Today, the Commission has launched a public consultation on ways to better protect and manage sharks and related marine ecosystems, to help prepare follow-up to the European Citizens' Initiative “Stop Finning – Stop the Trade”. It will be available online for a period of twelve weeks, until 4 June 2024.

Today's public consultation follows the call for evidence launched on 22 February 2024 to collect data and expertise on a potential ban on exports and imports of loose shark fins as well as their sales within the EU market.

The feedback received from the public consultation and the call for evidence will feed into an ongoing impact assessment, which will inform future action.

Commissioner Sinkevičius said: “The European Citizens' Initiative ‘Stop Finning – Stop the Trade' gathered more than one million signatures. While assessing environmental, social and economic impacts of measures that could improve shark protection, we seek views of a wider public, to make sure that the Commission's response to this initiative is the best possible one.”

You can find more information online.

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)

 

European Institute of Innovation and Technology launches a UK Hub to bridge EU and UK innovation sectors

Today, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Europe's largest innovation ecosystem and a part of the EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe aiming at supporting competitiveness and growth through innovation, is launching the EIT Hub UK.

Following the United Kingdom's recent association to Horizon Europe, the EIT Hub UK serves as a testament to the partnership between the EU and the UK in driving innovation and addressing global challenges.

The EIT Hub UK will connect EU's and UK's ecosystems acting as a one stop shop for EU and UK innovation players. It will lead matchmaking activities and immersion visits, and build a bridge for business collaborations. Through a range of programmes, events and initiatives, the Hub will provide support and resources to entrepreneurs and innovators, empowering them to scale their ventures and make impact at a global level.

Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: "With UK association to Horizon Europe, we opened up a range of new opportunities for both sides. The new EIT Hub will bring together innovators from the EU and the UK to work together on solutions to our common challenges. I look forward to our collaboration continuing to bear fruit, shaping a future that we want.”

Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, and EU Co-Chair of the Partnership Council established by the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) said: “Following the agreement on the Windsor Framework in 2023, the EU and the UK have been making steady progress in exploiting the full potential of the TCA. The UK having joined Horizon Europe at the beginning of 2024 and the EIT Hub UK are concrete great examples for this.

The EIT Hub UK is part of the EIT Global Outreach programme, launched in 2018, which already features successful hubs in Tel Aviv, Israel and Silicon Valley, U.S.

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel – Tel.: +32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)

 

 

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