Annexes to COM(2018)301 - Progress report on the Implementation of the European Agenda on Migration - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2018)301 - Progress report on the Implementation of the European Agenda on Migration. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2018)301  |
| date | May 16, 2018 |
Support in Syria and its neighbours remains a high priority. Over EUR 1 billion has been allocated by the EU to Jordan and Lebanon since the beginning of the crisis, to support the most vulnerable through humanitarian funding and to provide education and healthcare and help the livelihoods of refugees and host communities. Support to Lebanon was also backed up in two international conferences at ministerial level covering security and investment.21 The Brussels II conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region co-chaired by the EU and the United Nations in April 2018 reconfirmed the EU's support for a political solution in Syria and its commitment to address the substantial needs, with the confirmation of EUR 560 million for 2018 and the allocation of an additional EUR 560 million for 2019. In total,
Full details can be obtained from the online projects table https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-
enlargement/sites/near/files/facility_table.pdf.
57 national experts from Member States are deployed to the European Asylum Support Office to support the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement in Greece. These took place on 15 March 2018 in Rome (support to Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces) and on 6
19
20
2
the conference mobilised EUR 6.2 billion of grants by the international community to 2020, with three quarters coming from the EU and its Member States.
Western Balkans route
The Commission is currently finalising its internal procedures to sign an agreement with Albania, initialled already in February 2018, that will enable the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to provide assistance in the field of external border management as well as to swiftly deploy operational teams on Albanian territory in case of a sudden shift in migratory flows. On 30 April, agreement was reached at technical level on a similar arrangement with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Negotiations are currently ongoing with Serbia and the Commission has proposed to start negotiations on such agreements with Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The European Migrant Smuggling Centre of Europol has continued to support operational cooperation to address migrant smuggling through the Western Balkan route. In the first quarter of 2018, Europol organised 11 operational meetings focusing on the Western Balkans and has managed 28 priority cases. 7 common action days resulting in successful arrests of smugglers were also organised in the Western Balkan countries. Europol has continued to monitor an increasing trend of smuggling migrants in lorries and large vehicles. The countries of the region have strengthened their border control and surveillance capacities, shifting patrols to targeted border sections.
In parallel, the EU continues to provide support to countries on the Western Balkan route by focusing on improving reception conditions and capacity for migrants and refugees and building capacities to strengthen migration management systems. The regular bi-weekly videoconferences with the participation of the Commission, Member States, EU Agencies, and Western Balkan partners have continued in order to facilitate cooperation and information sharing on the migratory situation along the Western Balkan route. The Commission's annual Enlargement Package adopted on 17 April 2018 emphasised the need for the countries to strengthen efforts in order to effectively address challenges related to migration.22
Next steps:
• The Greek authorities should improve conditions in the hotspots, addressing in particular the needs of vulnerable groups and unaccompanied minors;
• The Greek authorities should urgently accelerate the implementation of returns to Turkey under the EU -Turkey Statem ent;
• The Greek authorities should urgently finalise their contingency plan to cope with higher arrivals in the islands and via the land border;
• Reinforce cooperation with Turkey to prevent current and emerging land and sea routes for irregular migration in line with the EU- Turkey Statement;
• Reinforce cooperation between Greece and Turkey on returns and readmissions from Greece through the EU-Turkey Statement as well as through the Greece-Turkey bilateral protocol;
• Member States should ensure the necessary expert support to the work of EU Agencies in Greece and Bulgaria;
See COM(2018) 450 final of 17.4.2018 and individual country reports. The Flagship initiative 2 (''Reinforcing engagement on security and migration'') of the Strategy for the Western Balkans (COM(2018) 65 final of 6.2.2018) confirmed the commitment to continue cooperation and information sharing along the route. It will serve as a basis for
22
Agreements between the European Union and Western Balkans partners on operational suppport provided by the European European Border and Coast Guard Agency should be swiftly concluded.
Central Mediterranean route
- Support to Italy
The EU continues its support to Italy for the implementation of the hotspot approach. Activities in the hotspot of Taranto have been temporarily suspended to perform maintenance works and refurbishments are also limiting activities in the hotspot of Lampedusa. In parallel, Italian authorities confirmed their commitment to open three additional hotspot locations in Calabria and in Sicily later this year. A revision of hotspot standard operating procedures is underway.
EU agencies are taking measures to adapt their staffing levels and the focus of their activities in Italy in line with current needs. As of 30 April, the European Asylum Support Office deployed 38 national experts in Italy, supported by 54 interim staff and 98 cultural mediators. 428 European Border and Coast Guard experts are supporting the work with newly-arrived migrants. As of 7 May 2018, a total of 15 Europol guest officers and three Europol staff were deployed to five locations in Italy, performing secondary security checks. Italy has also increased detention capacity, with the Potenza detention centre reaching full capacity of 96 places.
The EU continues to provide substantial financial assistance to Italy. The Italian authorities have started implementation of actions under the financial envelope allocated to Italy in November, in the area of medical assistance, inter-cultural mediation, equipment for screening of migrants in the hotspots and operations for maritime border surveillance and search and rescue. In follow-up to the letter to Prime Minister Gentiloni of 25 July 2017, the Commission and the Italian Ministry of Interior have continued discussions to design actions to be funded under emergency assistance aimed at supporting integration at local level, protect victims of trafficking in human beings, and enhance the effectiveness of asylum and return procedures. The emergency assistance provided to Italy complements over EUR 654 million in EU support to Italy's national programmes.23
Joint Operation Themis has continued, supporting Italy to address irregular immigration across the Central Mediterranean, save lives at sea and to prevent and detect cross-border crime. Its operational area now covers the Adriatic Sea and its law enforcement component, in particular as regards the fight against terrorism and foreign fighters, has been enhanced. Currently, with contributions from 27 Member States, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency supports Italy with 428 border guards and crew members, two aircraft, a helicopter, one offshore patrol vessel, seven coastal patrol vessels, four coastal patrol boats, and 14 mobile offices.
For the period 2014-2020, this amounts to EUR 387.7 million under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, including EUR 43.6 million for relocation/resettlement, and EUR 266 million under the Internal Security Fund, of which
23
Next steps:
Italy to open three additional hotspot locations as planned;
• Italy to increase detention capacity further;
• Finalisation of new phase of emergency funding with the Italian authorities; Member States to step up contributions to EU agencies (staffing levels and operational support) in Italy in line with needs; Italy to continue implementation of all actions identified in the Action Plan of 4 July
2017.
•
- Libya and the region, and countries along the route
The EU continues its work to improve the appalling conditions faced by many migrants and refugees in Libya and to tackle smuggling of migrants. EU-funded programmes are working to address immediate needs of migrants and refugees, help migrants return home or find a safe pathway for those in need of protection to Europe through resettlement, and work for the long term to stabilise communities.
To date, with EU support, the International Organisation for Migration has provided almost 41 000 migrants with blankets, mattresses and hygiene kits at disembarkation points, in detention centres and in host communities in Libya. Medical assistance has been provided to more than 14 500 vulnerable migrants. Over 950 migrants have also been assisted through the Migration Resource and Response Mechanism in place in the South of Libya. There has also been specific help from United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF to provide winter clothing in detention centres, as well as the bare necessities for survival and a decent living, including recreation and educational activities. A joint effort is also under way to advocate for children's release and find alternatives to detention.24 The UN Development Programme has also set up an Entrepreneurship Campus to try to help young entrepreneurs.25
The EU has continued supporting Libyan municipalities across the country, working on the rehabilitation of key infrastructure to enable access to basic services to local populations and migrants alike. Discussions are ongoing between the EU and the implementing partners (Italian Cooperation, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF) to operationalise a new EUR 50 million programme in support of municipalities, adopted in March 2018. This will boost the capacity of Libyan municipalities to deliver basic services such as health, education, sanitation, and water.
As of 4 May, 1 006 refugees and asylum-seekers had been released from detention following UN Refugee Agency UNHCR’s interventions in 2018, an acceleration from the total of 1 428 in 2017. The Agency has undertaken 486 monitoring visits to detention centres so far in 2018. EU support has also enabled UN refugee Agency UNHCR to conduct 15 216 medical consultations for refugees and asylum seekers – while advocating for their release.
With EU support, the International Organisation for Migration continues its programme for assisted voluntary returns and in 2018 until 24 April, 6 185 persons have returned safely home. During the evacuation phase between 28 November 2017 and 1 March 2018, a total of 15 391 persons voluntarily returned home.26 The target set by the Commission in December27
24 https://blogs.unicef.org/blog/invisible-child-migrants-libya/
25 More information is available at http://tec.ly/.
26 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/40705/joint-au-eu-un-taskforce-assists-16000-people_en
has therefore been met. Reintegration support is being provided for a total of 27 138 people returned since May 2017.
The EU has been working closely with Member States and the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR to ensure that as many vulnerable people in need of international protection as possible are evacuated from Libya to Niger, and then swiftly resettled. After a temporary suspension of evacuations in early March due to the concerns of the Nigerien government that onward departures to other countries were not keeping up with the pace of arrivals into Niger, the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR on 10 May resumed the Emergency Transit Mechanism, airlifting 132 vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers.28 Out of the 1 152 persons evacuated from Libya to Niger, the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has as of 13 May submitted 475 persons for resettlement29 and out of these, 108 have already departed from Niger.30 A further 71 have been accepted by the resettling states and are awaiting departure.31 This means that resettling states have already resettled around 38% of all persons submitted. Although additional pledges for resettlement from Niger are still needed, the number of pledges available for resettlement from Niger is not the limiting factor as 2 681 pledges have been made.32 It is important that referrals by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR are accelerated, so that pledges can be materialised and persons evacuated from Libya resettled as soon as possible by the resettling Member States.33 The EU fully supports these efforts, and will supplement the the existing financial support to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR of EUR 20 million. Member States who have not reserved a part of their resettlement pledge for Niger are invited to do so and those who are already resettling should continue making sure that transfers happen swiftly upon referrals. The UNHCR should be encouraged to focus its resettlement referrals in Niger primarily on the persons evacuated from Libya.
After the trilateral high level African Union-EU-United Nations mission34 to Tripoli in February, the Commission has engaged with the Libyan authorities to ensure delivery on the commitments taken. These include the importance of facilitating the humanitarian evacuation operation by waiving exit visas; allowing the UN refugee Agency UNHCR to fully implement its mandate beyond the limitations imposed on nationalities; improving access to and the conditions of migrants and refugees in detention centres; moving towards the closure of the detention centres in their current form; and considering alternatives to the criminalisation of irregular migrants; ensuring full registration and tracing of all migrants disembarked.
The EU's efforts to support the two Libyan Coast Guards have continued. EUNAVFORMED Operation Sophia has so far trained some 191 personnel of the Libyan Navy Coast Guard, including 5 patrol boat crews, under a combination of sea and shore based training. Training is ongoing in Greece for 22 Libyan personnel and a further module is scheduled in Spain for 34 candidates at the beginning of July 2018. The first monitoring
Since the start of the evacuations from Libya in late 2017, a total of 1 474 persons have been evacuated to Niger (1 152);
Italy (312), and the Emergency Transit Centre in Romania (10).
To France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Canada.
To France, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In addition, France has also resettled 97 refugees who were already registered in Niger and 42 persons have been
resettled from Libya directly to France, Sweden and the Netherlands.
EU and non-EU resettlement States (France, Canada, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, UK) have
made 2 680 pledges so far for resettlement from Niger (for evacuees from Libya as well as refugees already registered in
Niger).
A field mission in Niger in the framework of the Core Group on enhanced resettlement along the Central Mediterranean,
with participation of a number of resettling states and the European Commission, took place from 9-11 April to further
step up work in this area.
The African Union-EU-United Nations Task Force was set up in the margin of the fifth African Union-European Union
28
32
33
34
report in March highlighted that capacity and professionalism are progressing but that effective monitoring could further benefit from a continued presence of EUNAVFORMED personnel in the operation centres of the Libyan Navy Coast Guard.
The setting up of a secure communication network in the Mediterranean to exchange information on irregular migration by sea is now reaching the final stage, and the Seahorse Mediterranean network should be operational in the second half of 2018.
A pilot project to strengthen cooperation between EU agencies and EUNAVFORMED Operation Sophia, working directly together as a Crime Information Cell on the Operation Sophia flagship, was endorsed by Ministers during the Justice and Home Affairs Council of March 2018. The Cell should start operating as soon as possible. The EU Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission in Libya is looking into increasing the capacity to field up to 17 staff in Tripoli on a permanent or rotational basis by May 2018, building on the deeper engagement possible with the Libyan authorities since the "light presence" in place since December 2017.
- Funding
The EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa continues to play a critical role in the EU's work. As of 8 May 2018, 147 programmes have been agreed for a total amount of around EUR 2 593.4 million divided between the three windows: Sahel/Lake Chad EUR 1293 million (79 programmes), Horn of Africa EUR 820.3 million (50 programmes), North of Africa EUR 335 million (14 programmes). This amount also includes 4 cross-window programmes (EUR 145.1 million). A total of 235 contracts with implementers have been signed so far for a total of amount of EUR 1611.2 million, and total disbursements amount to EUR 650 million.
Resources currently allocated to the EU Trust Fund for Africa amount to EUR 3.39 billion including more than EUR 2.98 billion from the European Development Fund and the EU budget. In total, EU Member States and other donors (Switzerland and Norway) have contributed EUR 413.8 million, of which EUR 378 million have been paid so far. Main donors remain Germany (EUR 157.5 million) and Italy (EUR 104 million). The contribution of Member States to the North Africa window of the EU Trust Fund was of particular importance in being able to deliver a new approach with Libya: European Council discussions triggered Member States pledges of EUR 178.6 million, mainly to replenish the North Africa window.
Nevertheless, a significant funding gap is likely to occur already in 2018. This was discussed at the Strategic Board meeting of 24 April 2018. The pipeline for the three windows, which includes essential actions such as continuing the work in Libya, and maintaining the pace of assisted voluntary returns and evacuations, is estimated at around EUR 2 billion. While remaining resources can cover some priorities, a total funding gap of around 1.2 billion has been identified for the three windows, if the current level of ambition is to be maintained. For North Africa, the priorities will continue contributing to an effective migration management, including the protection of vulnerable migrants, voluntary return, community stabilisation, integrated border management and support to labour migration. Activities in the Horn of Africa and Sahel and Lake Chad areas have direct impact on the effectiveness of the EU action in North Africa and are necessary to ensure that the EU approach is truly comprehensive. Member States have acknowledged the value of the pipeline, and agreed to further prioritise actions in the following areas: return and reintegration, Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, secure documents and civil registry, addressing trafficking in
human beings, essential stabilisation efforts in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, and support for migration dialogues. At the same time, the Board agreed that the Trust Fund should continue its operations beyond 2018 and that for that to happen it was necessary to replenish its resources.
Under the first pillar of the External Investment Plan, the European Fund for Sustainable Development guarantee, a total of 12 eligible financial institutions have proposed more than 46 investment programmes under the five investment windows for which guarantee funds of EUR 1.5 billion are available. Proposals received amount to a combined value of over EUR 3.5 billion for the five windows.35 First Commission decisions approving programmes are expected early summer. Blending operations under the Investment Plan’s Africa and Neighbourhood Investment Platforms are under way.
- Countries along the route
Cooperation has intensified with a number of partners in Africa. Despite political upheavals, work with the Ethiopian authorities on the five pillars of the Valletta Declaration has continued smoothly. The dialogue on migration and cooperation with Guinea and The Gambia maintains a steady progress, with a successful European Border and Coast Guard Agency seminar on best practices for the organisation of return-related activities in March. In Côte d'Ivoire, the dialogue on migration was relaunched. Discussions with Nigeria on a migration and mobility package continue, covering growth and investments, border management and digital identification, smuggling, trafficking in human beings, as well as reintegration and readmission.
As well as ongoing operational cooperation, additional support to Niger would focus on action to address emerging migratory routes near the Nigerian border and reinforced economic substitution programmes. In March 2018, Niger hosted a ministerial conference involving all key players to discuss and promote cooperation against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.36 Niger, Chad, Libya and Sudan also reached a new agreement to establish cooperation to secure common borders and combat organised crime.
Work to tackle smuggling networks in the Horn of Africa has also been stepped up, with the further development of the EU Trust Fund-supported Regional Operational Centre for the Khartoum Process, aimed at enhancing joint investigations among countries. The Better Migration Management Programme in the Horn of Africa has seen more than 400 government officials trained in migration and border management, and around 150 government and nongovernment stakeholders trained on migrant rights.
Migration was included on the agenda of the EU-Egypt Stability Cluster that took place on 15 March in Cairo. This followed up on the first meeting of the EU-Egypt Migration Dialogue in December 2017 and took stock of progress in the different areas of EU-Egypt bilateral cooperation on migration. Increased cooperation with EU agencies was also discussed.
35 The majority of proposals (EUR 2.5 billion) for the micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises window (15 proposals) and the sustainable energy and connectivity window (15 proposals). In addition, proposals for over EUR 1 billion were received for the three other windows: sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurs and agribusiness, sustainable cities, and digital for development.
Western Mediterranean route
Morocco continues its efforts to prevent irregular migration by cooperating on border surveillance, in particular with Spain. Technical contacts are ongoing with a view to designing an assistance package to strengthen border management capacity and relaunching negotiations on Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements. A budget support programme
to Morocco’s migration policies (EUR 35 million) was signed by the Commission and
Morocco in Decem ber 2017. On 2 May in Marrakesh, the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Rabat process reaffirmed the commitment through a jointly Adopted Action Plan to continue cooperation on addressing root causes of migration, fighting smuggling, and strengthening return and readmission.37
After a 43% increase between 2016 and 201 7, the number of Algerian nationals arriving irregularly in Europe has dropped in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. Algeria also remains a country of transit for irregular migrants attempting to reach Morocco and Libya, and the Algerian authorities report increased arrivals from Sub-Saharan countries into Algeria. While the EU and Algeria agreed on improving the exchange of information on illegal arrivals, on legal mobility possibilities and on return, this has not yet been translated into concrete cooperation.
Next steps:
• The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Member States to continue efforts towards increased evacuation and resettlement through the Emergency Transit Mechanism by increasing referrals and accelerating resettlements;
• Continue work with the African Union - EU - United Nations Task Force to help people to leave Libya and with the Libyan authorities towards ending the systematic detention of migrants;
• Step up cooperation with Sahel countries on the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in line with the Declaration adopted in Niamey in March;
• Continue strengthening migration dialogues with countries of origin, linking all pillars of the Valletta Action Plan.
4. RETURNANDREADMISSION
Statistics on returns in 2017 indicate that compared to 2016 (493 785 return decisions), the number of issued return decisions in the EU in 2017 has increased by 4% (516 115 decisions in 2017). This increase can be largely attributed to the fact that a large number of asylum (appeal) procedures – including many initiated during the time of mass influx into the EU – are coming to an end, in many cases concluding with a negative decision. There is a consistent increase in the number of return decisions issued by the Member States that were most concerned by the influx, in particular, Germany and Greece.
However, the increase in the number of return decisions is not matched by a similar increase in the number of actually implemented returns. On the contrary, the information provided by the Member States to EUROSTAT clearly indicates that the number of implemented returns in 2017 decreased by almost 20%: from 226 150 in 2016 to 188 920 in 2017. This translates
37 https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/20180503_declaration-and-action-plan-marrakesh_en.pdf
38 Algerian nationals use both the Central (1 980 arrivals in 2017, 114 in the first quarter of 2018) and the Western
into a considerable decrease in the rate of return39 throughout the EU from 45.8% in 2016 to merely 36.6% in 2017.
This negative trend is partially explained by the fact that the stock of potential returnees from countries in the Western Balkans has significantly decreased. Cooperation with these countries on readmission of their own nationals has been excellent over the last two years, facilitated by effective EU readmission agreements. The result is that a previously accumulated backlog in returns to these countries was cleared in 2015 and 2016, which in turn increased the EU average return rate.
However, even if data regarding Western Balkans countries are removed from the overall 2017 return data, there is still a decrease in the return rate from 34.5 % in 2016 to 29.2% in 2017. This may be explained by a proportional increase in the number of return decisions for nationals of less cooperative countries of origin of irregular migrations to the EU not being matched by effective returns. It clearly underlines the need for an extra effort in Member States to ensure that return decisions are effectively implemented, using the work under the Partnership Framework as a springboard and the European Border and Coast Guard as a key tool to operationalise returns.
While securing third countries’ cooperation on readmission of own nationals remains a challenge for the EU, 2017 has seen significant progress with several new practical arrangements concluded. The target set in the Commission roadmap of December 2017 to reach agreement with three partner countries on arrangements for return and readmission has been achieved.40 The Commission's proposed revision of the legislation on Immigration Liaison Officers will help to also intensify the coordination required in this area.41
As part of its proposal to amend the Visa Code42, the Commission has proposed to strengthen the use of visa policy as a tool to achieve progress in cooperation on return and readmission with non-EU countries. Stricter conditions will be established for processing visa applications for nationals of non-EU countries that do not cooperate satisfactorily on return and readmission.
However, a significant increase in the number of returns depends first and foremost on Member States’ engagement in this cooperation and the use of these instruments to their full potential. So far, there are significant variations in this respect: while some Member States are using the existing instruments in a pro-active and effective manner and consequently start seeing results, others are yet to integrate the new procedures in their workflow and have not started implementation. The Commission and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency offer specific support to Member States to make effective use of these new arrangements, for example by organising information seminars with third countries on the new procedures. Some specific actions, like the establishment of electronic platforms (Pakistan) or the update of existing ones (Sri Lanka), or of procedures for the verification of nationality with electronic means (Bangladesh), should yield significant results in the long term.
The return rate is the ratio between the number of persons issued with a return decision and the number of persons effectively returned (irrespective of whether the return is voluntary or forced).
Cooperation on migration with Asian countries continues to show a positive trend. A series of important meetings have taken place with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Concrete results include an electronic platform for processing readmission applications with Pakistan and return operations under the Standard Operating Procedures with Bangladesh. Dialogues are under way to establish a similar level of cooperation with countries including Tunisia and Nigeria. COM(2018) 303 final of 16.5.2018.
39
40
4
A growing number of return operations have been supported operationally by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency: 111 operations have been organised or coordinated by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in 2018 to the end of April, compared to 39 for the same period in 2016 and 108 in 2017.43 Nevertheless, Member States need to take better advantage of the Agency's new and expanded mandate on return. Member States must also ensure that the increasing needs are adequately matched by the available capacity to execute returns, to ensure physical availability of returnees, and to use as swift and efficient return procedures.
As a follow-up to its commitment44
a follow-up to its commitment to foster clarity around possible risks of cr im ina lisation for those providing genuine humanitarian assistance to migrants in distress, on 3 May the Commission organised a first exchange of views with the main NGOs involved and the Fundamental Rights Agency, in order to have a common understanding of the state of play and exchange on possible ways forward.
Key to the effectiveness of the monitoring of returns is more detailed, frequent and timely statistics on asylum and managed migration, including on return and readmission. Such statistics would contribute to a more comprehensive and regular overview of the situation in the asylum and managed migration area. On this basis, as announced in the progress report of November 2017, the Commission is proposing to address the most urgent gaps with an amendment to the legislation on statistics on migration and international protection . In order to improve still further the cooperation on returns, all the incentives and leverages of our internal and external policies have to be used.
Next steps:
• Full use by Member States of the recently established arrangements on return and readmission, stepping up the number of readmission applications to the countries concerned;
• Full use by Member States of the possibilities offered by the European Border and Coast Guard on return operations, to back up a more determined effort in Member States to ensure that return decisions are effectively applied;
• European Parliament and Council to continue their efforts towards swift progress on the Commission's proposal of 14 March to amend the Visa Code;
• Swift implementation of new rules improving the provision of statistical information on asylum and managed migration, including on return and readmission.
5. REINFORCEDEXTERNALBORDERMANAGEMENT
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency continues to support Member States through joint operations across the main migratory routes in the Eastern, Central and Western Mediterranean and the Western Balkans, with the deployment of more than 1 300 border guard officers and other staff. The Agency has offered to triple its operational deployments at the Greek land borders with Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
43 Data available in Frontex Application Return.
44 SWD(2017) 117 final of 22.3.2017 and COM(2017) 558 final of 27.9.2017.
45 COM(2017) 669 final of 15.11.2017.
Serious gaps in pledges were identified for 2018 operational activities. Despite two open calls launched on 19 January 2018 and 23 March 2018, there were no significant improvements. All the pledges made until the end of April 2018 would only cover 49% of the identified operational needs for experts and 44% of technical assets for activities at land borders in the period May-June 2018. For sea border operations, 85 % of experts could be provided but only 51% of technical assets.
These considerable shortages risk continuing to severely limit the implementation of the activities planned until December 2018. On 17 April 2018, the Agency held a high-level meet ing with Member States and the Commission to improve the annual pledging process for 2019 by bringing more flexibility and transparency and through advancing the launch of the pledging exercise to allow for possible adjustments and other mitigating measures (such as the use of own technical capacities).
By 30 April 2018, the total number of nominated border guards available for deployments from the Rapid Reaction Pool is 1 482, representing 99% of the Pool. Only two Member States have not yet nominated border guards. The serious gaps in the European Rapid Reaction Equipment Pool has not been addressed by the Member States since the last report.
On 2 May 2018, the Commission has adopted its proposal for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. T his foresees significant resources to support the future development of the European Border and Coast Guard, including the creation of a standing corps of 10 000 border guards at the disposal of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, so that it can become fully effective in supporting a secure EU external border.
Next Steps:
• Member States to swiftly and fully follow up the recommendations made within the Vulnerability Assessments exercise of 2017;
• Member States without delay to fill the pledging gaps for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency operational activities planned for 2018 at the EU external borders;
• The European Border and Coast Guard Agency to establish in the coming months a technical and operational strategy for European Integrated Border Management and Member States to ensure the corresponding national strategies are in place.
6. RELOCATION,RESETTLEMENT,VISAANDLEGALPATHWAYS
By the end of March 2018, all eligible applicants had been relocated from Greece to other Member States, in total 21 999 persons, including 546 unaccompanied minors to 24 countries.47 From Italy, as of 7 May 2018, 12 691 people have been relocated (including 256 unaccompanied minors), with 31 applicants (including 26 unaccompanied minors) already accepted for relocation, waiting to be transferred. Four relocation requests for unaccompanied minors have been sent by Italy and have not yet been answered.48 Relocation has been a success, with overall 96% of eligible persons having been relocated.
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
47
In September 2017, given the continuing migratory pressure on Greece and Italy, the Commission called on all Member States to consider continuing relocations on a voluntary basis, beyond the emergency relocation schemes, and committed to provide necessary financial support. The Commission encourages all Member States to engage with Greece and Italy and to make use of this option as appropriate.
The first EU resettlement scheme of July 201549 has ended. The total number of people resettled under all EU resettlement schemes since this time, including Syrians resettled from Turkey under the EU-Turkey Statement, is 32 207. Member States' resettlement efforts are now focused on delivering on the pledges made under the new EU scheme. With the recent decision of the German government to pledge 10 200 new resettlement places, 20 Member States50 have pledged more than 50 000 resettlement places, making it the largest collective commitment of the EU and its Member States on resettlement to date.51 The scheme is supported by EUR 500 million from the EU budget, and 10 Member States52 have already resettled 4 252 persons under this new EU resettlement scheme. This represents significant progress, with 2 397 persons have been resettled since the March progress report.
This includes people resettled after evacuation from Libya to Niger and resettlement of Syrians from Turkey under the EU Turkey Statement.53 Resettlement from Turkey under the EU-Turkey Statement is at a slower pace compared to the record number of Syrians resettled in the summer of 2017. Only seven Member States have contributed to resettlement from Turkey so far this year and no additional Member State has contributed since the last progress report. Since the March progress report, 837 Syrians have been resettled, taking the total, since the Statement, to 13 313.
The Commission calls on Member States to implement 50% of the pledges under the new EU scheme by October, the target set in the Commission's roadmap of December 2017. Steady resettlement for all priority regions should take place together with an urgent focus on the resettlement of persons evacuated from Libya to Niger via the Emergency Transit Mechanism.
In addition, the Commission is completing a study on the feasibility and added value of sponsorship schemes as a possible pathway to safe channels for admission to the EU, in order to explore possible support to Member States in further developing alternative legal pathways for protection. The study is expected to be finalised by July 2018.
The Commission has continued to support Member States to develop legal migration pilot projects with selected African countries. On 16 April, a call for proposals was launched under the Mobility Partnership Facility.54 This call comes in addition to a EUR 15 million regional programme to support legal migration in the North of Africa region to be adopted under the EU Trust Fund for Africa during the next North of Africa window Operational Committee meeting.
49
Council conclusions ("on resettling through multilateral and national schemes 20 000 persons in clear need of
international protection") of 20.7.2015, document 11130/15.
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
The Recommendation, C(2017) 6504 of 27.9.2017, called for at least 50 000 persons in need of international protection
to be resettled by 31 October 2019.
Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.
Member States have so far resettled from over 25 third countries. The highest number of resettlements so far took place
from Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Uganda, Chad, and Niger.
https://www.icmpd.org/our-work/capacity-building/multi-thematic-programmes/mobility-partnership-facility-mpf/pilot-
50
51
54
The first quarter of 2018 saw the start of the implementation of the Partnership (signed in December 2017) between the Commission and the economic and social partners to promote refugees’ integration in the labour market. This included exchanges involving economic and social partners with relevant groups such as the Public Employment Service network, the European Integration Network and the European Social Fund Committee. A stocktaking exercise to measure the progress achieved will take place during the second half of 2018.
Efforts to promote the integration of third country nationals are all the more relevant in the light of the results of a Special Eurobarometer on Integration55 (conducted at the end of October 2017). It shows that a large majority of Europeans (69%) see integration as "a necessary investment in the long-run for their country". Four respondents out of five (and a majority in all Member States) see an important role for the EU in integration of immigrants, with a particular added value for sharing best practices among Member States, promoting cooperation between all actors involved and providing them with financial support. Successfully integrating the large numbers of recognised refugees and asylum seekers awaiting the outcome of their application will require appropriate investment in the years to come.
Next steps:
• Member States should reply to all outstanding relocation requests submitted by Italy and swiftly transfer all remaining eligible applicants, with absolute priority to minors;
• Member States to consider relocation on a voluntary basis from Italy and Greece;
• Member States to swiftly resettle from priority regions, in particular persons evacuated from Libya to Niger;
• Member States to make concrete offers in view of starting discussions with selected third countries for the pilot projects on legal migration.
7. CONCLUSIONANDNEXTSTEPS
This report shows that the progress made over the last year has broadly been maintained, with the range of measures put in place continuing to produce their effects. However, experience shows that migratory flows are subject to strong and sudden variations. Furthermore, the underlying structural migratory pressures from neighbouring regions towards the EU remain strong. The situation therefore remains fragile and gives no cause for complacency. The EU needs to show the necessary vigilance and preparedness to respond to any seasonal peaks or shifts in pressure, including from one route to another.
In this perspective, this report has identified areas where the current response needs to be strengthened. In particular, the Commission notes once again the need for Member States to implement the pledges they have made to support the essential work of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency at the external border. The report also highlights the challenge faced in increasing the effective rate of return. There are also areas where it is crucial to intensify efforts to consolidate progress made so far: the protection of migrants and the fight against smuggling in Libya and along the Central Mediterranean route, resettlement and implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement. In this regard, the EU Trust Fund for Africa and the Facility for Refugees in Turkey have proven to be swift and effective tools but their continued success will require an adequate level of funding also from Member States. The EU
speaking with one voice in international fora remains key to achieving effective results and to support existing regional, continental and global dialogues on migration. The Commission also underlines the importance of continued regular and effective coordination of migration management, both within the EU Institutions and with Member States and partner countries.
This progress report again underlines the importance of the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration management. The European Agenda on Migration rests on a set of mutually reinforcing objectives which together offer a stable long-term answer to the migration challenge. The reformed Common European Asylum System is a central part of this approach, and the importance of swiftly reaching an agreement on the reform cannot be overestimated. Together with the important focus on migration and border management in the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework,56 the reformed Common European Asylum System is essential to ensure that the EU is well prepared to deal with any future migratory crises.
The upcoming European Council in June will hold a discussion on reaching an agreement on internal and external migration policy, to which the Commission will contribute.
56 A Modern Budget for a Union that Protects, Empowers and Defends - The Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-