Filenews 21 January 2022
A joint statement was reached by the EU Migration Ministers at the Vilnius Conference, which, inter alia, stated that: "Developments at the EU's external borders demonstrate the need for a comprehensive package of measures to establish effective control based on integrated border management across the external border, including through the establishment of physical barriers and other mobile or stable infrastructure; where Member States deem it appropriate and necessary, while respecting international law", the Joint Declaration of the Ministers responsible for Migration states."
It is noted that these measures should also apply to the Green Line, in the case of Cyprus, although the Line is not a border.
Ministers also underlined "while working on the pressing challenges at the external borders (in the Green Line in the case of Cyprus), we should also strengthen the Common European Asylum System and intensify work in order to reduce incentives for illegal migration, prevent the abuse of the asylum system, exclude the "asylum market" and manipulate human lives by state actors or criminal networks; and pave the way for a sound and regular system, where EU Member States have effective control over who enters and stays in the EU, while ensuring the protection of those who really need it."
The joint statement reads as follows:
"We, the Representatives of Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, in the presence of representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), Europol, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), met on 20-21 January 2022 on the occasion of the Conference on Border Management in Vilnius, and after extensive discussions on the capabilities, tools and measures to scale up our efforts to address today's challenges as well as prevent future crises, we have found common ground on the following:
- The security and integrity of the Schengen area must not be compromised. An area without internal border controls can only function effectively if the external borders are properly protected. Determined efforts and additional resources are needed to strengthen our resilience to current or future challenges.
- The EU has witnessed the exploitation of illegal immigration as a means of exerting political pressure. In order to rule out the possible political instrumentalisation of illegal immigration by third parties, we must strengthen our ability to act proactively and respond quickly, effectively and decisively, including diplomatic action, a unified European approach and voice, as well as effective border protection measures and horizontal sanctions, while respecting our international obligations.
- The protection of the EU's external borders and the Schengen area is a shared responsibility. Border protection is key to preventing illegal immigration, migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and threats to security and public order, as well as maintaining internal stability and social cohesion. Developments at the EU's external borders demonstrate the need for a comprehensive package of measures to establish effective control based on integrated border management across the external border, including by establishing physical barriers and other mobile or stable infrastructure where Member States deem it appropriate and necessary, while respecting international law. These measures should also apply to the Green Line, in the case of Cyprus, although the Line is not a border. Adequate EU financial support should contribute to the implementation of those measures in order to ensure a high level of security at the EU's external borders. Similarly, we should consider new and innovative solutions to address the challenges of preventing illegal migration and loss of life at sea borders, recognising the specificities of search and rescue operations.
- Particular attention should be paid to border management, with an emphasis on preventing illegal border crossings and combating the activities of traffickers and traffickers. Border management must be based on state-of-the-art technologies and equipment. The new interoperable IT architecture to be delivered by the end of 2023 will make a significant contribution to the effective management of our external borders. Despite the need to take into account the specificities and specific situations prevailing at different parts of the external borders, border surveillance should be guided by common minimum standards in order to enhance knowledge of the situation and a rapid response to illegal border crossings.
- Member States located at the external borders (including the case of Cyprus and the Green Line), as well as those under migratory pressure, should be adequately supported and assisted to be able to protect the interests of the whole OF the EU and ensure a high level of security for all Member States. EU agencies, notably Frontex, Europol and EUAA, should make full use of their mandates in this regard, addressing the needs identified at the request of the affected Member State. Further possibilities for improvement in their areas of activity could be explored. In addition, in its conclusions of December 2021, the European Council invited the Council and the Commission "to consider ways to strengthen cooperation arrangements to support Member States facing specific challenges at the EU's external borders, including as regards border guards, as well as air surveillance".
- Border surveillance measures and prevention of illegal border crossings should be further developed in the Schengen Borders Code and in the context of the ongoing work on a new Migration and Asylum Pact, which provides for sustainable solutions for the future. Cases of orchestration of migration flows from third countries and third parties, the existence of significant secondary movements, the abuse of asylum systems and the lack of a strengthened coordinated approach to border control in crisis situations have revealed gaps in the existing legal framework and weaknesses in addressing common challenges in a unified and principled way. We look forward to constructive discussions on the legislative proposals recently put forward by the European Commission, namely the amendments to the Schengen Borders Code, the proposal for the blacklist of carriers involved in human trafficking and human trafficking in the EU, as well as proposals to tackle situations of instrumentalisation in the area of immigration and asylum.
- Both our individual and joint actions at the external borders and in the area of returns are of the utmost importance. However, these measures in themselves are insufficient. We stress the importance of developing the EU's external action in line with the European Council conclusions of June, October and December 2021, with a view to combating illegal immigration and through cooperation with the countries of origin and transit. While addressing the challenges at the EU's external borders and underlining the responsibility of countries of origin and transit in equal partnerships, we need to strengthen support for countries of origin and countries along migratory routes, strengthen their border management capacities and strengthen their necessary capabilities to provide protection, decent and safe reception conditions, as well as sustainable livelihoods for refugees and host communities in their regions. We must also support these countries in the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, as well as in building effective readmission and reintegration systems.
- While working on the pressing challenges at the external borders (on the Green Line in the case of Cyprus), we should also strengthen the Common European Asylum System and step up work in order to reduce incentives for illegal immigration, prevent abuse of the asylum system, exclude the "asylum market" and manipulate lives by state actors or criminal networks, and to pave the way for a healthy and regular system, where EU Member States have effective control over who enters and stays in the EU, while ensuring the protection of those who really need it. In addition, strategic and targeted information campaigns targeting (potentially) irregular migrants and providing information on the risks of illegal immigration should be promoted. Fighting disinformation and working with social media platforms should be part of these efforts.
- At the same time, the EU and its Member States must have at their disposal and use all appropriate tools to combat irregular primary and secondary movements, security threats, criminal cross-border activities and hybrid threats.
- In this context, we welcome the Presidency's intention to have a political debate on border management and Schengen cooperation and we recognise its determination to reach a meaningful and balanced compromise on the Pact on Migration and Asylum."
