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We, the Ministers of Interior,
Migration and Asylum of Cyprus, Greece, Malta, and Spain, on the occasion of
the fourth Ministerial meeting in Paphos on 7-8 October 2022, have concluded
the following elements in relation to the internal and external dimensions of
the European migration policy, as part of a holistic approach for an
effective asylum and migration management:
- We
express our appreciation for the joint Roadmap of the rotating
Presidencies of the Council, and the European Parliament on reaching a
comprehensive and balanced agreement on the Pact on migration and
asylum, in coordination with the Commission, and reaffirm our readiness
to enhance cooperation for the promotion of the common values and
principles of the Union, including the principle of solidarity and fair
sharing of responsibility.
- We
reiterate our undivided commitment in fulfilling our obligations in line
with international law and the EU acquis, in particular in relation to
our responsibilities with regards to the Union’s external borders.
- We
call upon the Commission and the Council to finally acknowledge the
increased duties assigned to front-line Member States and the additional
tasks arising in the field of migration management, reception, asylum,
and integration, by introducing swift and effective measures of fair
burden sharing for the whole of the EU, thus ensuring a proper balance
between solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility
- We
expect the Commission and fellow Member States to take in due
consideration the specificities that result from geographical conditions
and geopolitical developments in relation to front-line Member States,
including the impact of sea borders, disembarkations, and SAR
operations. In this regard it is essential to provide for an effective
predictable and mandatory solidarity mechanism that reflects the needs
on the ground. Assurances are required that the needs identified will be
met through the solidarity contributions. The emphasis should be placed
on border management, through enhanced surveillance in origin and
prevention of irregular crossings.
- There
should be greater emphasis on border management at the external borders
of the Union, through enhanced pre-frontier surveillance along all
migratory routes and prevention of irregular crossings, including on the
Green Line in the case of Cyprus, which must be adequately addressed,
due to the special conditions that apply, despite the fact that the
“Green Line” does not constitute an external border of the EU.
- In
view of the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, but also the overall
instability in the extended neighbourhood, the Union's external borders
must be protected from hybrid threats, and instrumentalization tactics
by some neighboring countries.
- The
EU needs to remain consistent towards all our partners, investing in
developing substantial and long-term partnerships, notably with key
countries of origin and transit in order to cooperate with them in
preventing irregular migratory flows, and operate effective returns of
those nationals who no longer fulfil the conditions of stay in the Member
States. We recall the importance of addressing all migratory routes,
including emerging new routes from the Middle East, in a whole-of-route
and comprehensive approach.
- There
is also an urgent need to assess the actual conditions in those
countries of origin and transit which are currently considered unsafe,
and from which large migratory flows towards the EU originate. In this
manner, we should ensure that available resources are channelled to those
who really need protection.
- We
encourage all actors to engage in an honest dialogue with the aim to
create a truly common European asylum and migration system, based on the
genuine and required balance between solidarity and fair sharing of
responsibility, as enshrined in the founding Treaty on the functioning of
the European Union. Having reaffirmed the political will to work towards
an agreement on the Pact before the end of the current legislative term,
as agreed in the joint roadmap with the European Parliament, we should
ensure progress on the negotiations respects a balanced approach. We
welcome the discussion launched by the Presidency on fair sharing and
flexible responsibility and call for tangible progress in this respect.
- In
this perspective, the MED5 countries look forward to the EU Home Affairs
meeting on the 14th of October, also with regard to assessing
current developments and challenges in the field of asylum and
migration.
(EFYS/EK/ΙΚ)
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