Video: https://youtu.be/IeTmZmfPOPU
We are here at the G6 meeting here in Rome. It is very timely and very topical and – I would say – very important. Last night we discussed migration and we will do the same today, together with security. I have opened a long time ago a dialogue and a strong cooperation with American partners, so I was more than happy to meet here again with Loretta Lynch and Jeh Johnson. We exchanged experiences but also ideas on how to better talk about these issues, because the Americans have a great experience both in migration and in the field of terrorism given the dramatic and appalling events they have experienced. But we lived the same moments here in Europe.
As far as migration is concerned, Europe has made progress during the last two years but we have to do more in the future, especially in the field of our cooperation with third countries. We are not where we were two years ago, but there is a long way to run in the future. It is very important to send a message: it is not up to the migrants to decide where they want to go, it is up to Europe. Europe has opened its doors, but everybody should respect the laws of Europe – now Europe has a comprehensive migration policy.
Unfortunately, the refugee crisis is still ongoing given the instability in that part of the world. Italy is under pressure but – as I have repeatedly said – Europe stands by Italy. Now, in the field of security, it is very important to enhance and deepen our cooperation within the European Union, as well as with friends and partners around the world, including the United States of America.
We still live under the shadow of the recent dramatic terrorist attacks within Europe, but also there we have made progress. We have interconnected the dots, we have enhanced and deepened our cooperation, and we have fostered more trust between us. So, both in the field of migration and security, we have very fruitful discussions here in Rome and I want to express again my warmest thanks to my good friend Minister Alfano for having organised this event and for the excellent way he is steering this very important meeting not only among us, but also with our partner the United States of America.
On 20 and 21 October, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos will participate in the G6 meeting in Rome with Interior Ministers from Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom as well as the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. Representatives from Europol, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the European Border and Coast Guard, UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Interpol will also be present. Participants will discuss issues relating to migration, security and terrorism, and cybersecurity.