Today we come together one year after President Juncker organised the Western Balkans summit on migration flows.
We are all committed to continue working closely and hand in hand in a coordinated and joint way.
The migration challenges know no national borders – we are all part of the European family, and the only solution is a joint one.
We’ve come a long way since last year.
The numbers have dropped dramatically: from thousands per day to some hundred per day.
Therefore, today the picture is very different thanks, first and foremost, to the cooperation with Turkey.
For the Commission, the continued implementation of EU-Turkey Statement is a priority and remains our Plan A.
Better managing our external borders is also crucial. Border management has been strengthened with the reinforced presence of Frontex at different border sections.
Moreover, we are working tirelessly to ensure that our new European Border and Coast Guard will become fully operational very soon.
I will go to Bulgaria on 6 October to officially launch the European Border and Coast Guard.
The most affected countries because of the migration challenges are not left alone. The Commission continues to support them both financially and structurally:
– we allocated additional funding to Bulgaria recently
– we also offer financial support to Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
On prevention of irregular migration which puts lives in danger and on return of irregular migrants, we want to resolve the persistent bottlenecks. Our new Partnership Framework with third countries of origin and transit will serve to improve the situation in the countries of origin and transit, address the root causes of irregular migration as well as return and readmission .
Furthermore, a European Return Office will be established within the new European Border and Coast Guard.
We are also stepping up the fight against migrant smuggling together with Europol.
Ultimately, to ensure success, we have to pursue a comprehensive approach Europe-wide, based on fundaments of solidarity and responsibility-sharing:
support frontline countries comprehensively including through relocation. Solidarity is the bedrock of our policy!
support our Western Balkan partners to manage their borders and to better manage migration, including reception, returns but also smuggling.
As I said in the beginning: the only solution is a joint solution with all of us working closely together. This was exactly the spirit that prevailed today in this meeting.