Dear friends,
It is a pleasure to be here, at a critical moment in European cooperation on a number of shared challenges.
In the beautiful surroundings of Dubrovnik, we are gathered here in a place and region which through its history understands the meaning and impact of borders, of migration flows, of security.
The ghosts of the past are not so far away and they remind us how important peace, solidarity but also security are.
They remind us of the relevance of the fundamental values on which the EU is based, and the need for them to be preserved. These values are essential in the area of migration and security, for the protection of those in need as well as of our citizens.
Let me start on migration.
We are seeing the first clear results of the EU-Turkey statement: the smuggling gangs on the Eastern Mediterranean route have been disrupted and the number of arrivals in Greece has significantly decreased.
What is now important is to sustain these results, monitor closely possible alternative routes and fully deliver on all elements of the agreement, from both sides.
You in this region will know how important the historical relationship with Turkey is – our partnership is not new, and the current migration crisis has brought us closer.
Just like the Western Balkans are a crucial partner, so is Turkey – this is not just a migratory challenge of the EU, but of the wider region. This is a global challenge.
In all of this, we have to uphold our values – and providing shelter to those fleeing war and prosecution is one of our values. Our own history has taught us how important this can be and many Europeans have benefited from such protection in the past.
And when it comes to the protection of refugees in the EU, the share of the responsibility between Member States should not be decided by geographical factors.
Today, we cannot leave Greece and Italy, or Sweden, Germany and Austria or other Member States, alone handling tens of thousands migrants and refugees. Tomorrow, it could be very well Poland, Slovakia or others facing a similar situation.
While some progress has been made on relocation from Greece and Italy, the overall number is still not very high. Some of the countries here in the room have not relocated a single person in clear need of international protection so far. On Wednesday, when I present the third relocation and resettlement report, I regret that I will have to mention those countries that have not contributed to European solidarity – and they are all represented in this room.
There has to be a form of solidarity in the Common European Asylum System – or let me call it an “insurance” for every Member State that it will not be left alone in case of a major crisis. This is one of the reasons why we have proposed the Dublin revision.
The new Dublin will allow that protection remains open to those who need it, while all misuse and abuse of the right to claim asylum is stopped. The Common European Asylum System as a whole needs to be improved, and needs to become fairer.
The status quo is simply not sustainable.
Let me now turn to border management. The protection of the external borders is crucial. And the EU is making good progress.
As you know, we have tabled a full range of measures aiming at better protection and efficient management of the borders: on the European Border and Coast Guard, on the systematic checks at the borders and on the Entry-Exit System.
These are initiatives which will strengthen our external borders and improve its management. Both in terms of migration, but also in terms of security in the Schengen area.
I know that I can count on your support.
We have to be quick now in adopting the proposals while starting to prepare the operational phase already.
We have no time to lose. Only a well-protected external border allows us to maintain the Schengen area of free movement which we all cherish so much and rightly so.
In this context, let me recall that the Commission is still convinced that internal border controls with Romania and Bulgaria should be lifted.
However, we should not believe that better border management and countering migrant smuggling alone will be sufficient. Of course it is indispensable that we know who is entering the EU and for what purpose.
At the same time, we have to address the root causes of why people come in the first place. This is precisely the purpose of our new compact or framework partnership with third countries that we presented last week.
We need to slow down the flows, but also make sure that people’s livelihoods are improved closer to home, and that when they have to flee they can find refuge closer to home too. In parallel, we have to become better at return and readmission – this is key.
Finally, let me say a word about our shared security and terrorism challenges.
The nexus of security, border and migration management is information: how we manage and how we share this information, which is our strongest defence against terrorism.
This is another lesson of the recent past. Better information exchange is indispensable.
We have several instruments in place at European level – like the European Counter Terrorism Centre at Europol and the Schengen Information System. We recently adopted our European PNR Framework also. But all these tools will only bring benefits if we use them. I call on you to provide the political steering making sure that information exchange is happening in practice. I also welcome the involvement of non-EU countries with Europol – as with migration, terrorism also knows no borders, and the Western Balkans region not only has the experience, but also the expertise.
The trafficking of firearms is a particular case in point. We have concrete action plans on irregular firearms, and we have to ensure that they are properly implemented.
When it comes to radicalisation, again we can offer support from the European level. The Radicalisation Awareness Network provides hands-on advice on how to fight against radicalisation – advice from practitioners to practitioners. The Network is already expanding its activities outside the EU to the immediate neighbourhood and held its first meeting in Turkey.
The challenge of radicalisation is about the cohesion and resilience of our societies. Prevention work has to be stepped up in combination with enhanced sharing of information on risks.
Dear friends,
The point on resilience leads me to my last remark.
We are here in Dubrovnik, a city and region whose beauty today hides the atrocity of the not so distant past. The mountains surrounding us are not only remembered for their beautiful green mountain tops.
And yet, we are gathered here today, with partners and neighbours from both inside and outside the EU, working together for a stronger common future.
Everyone is coming to realise that no country can manage today’s challenges alone. Migration, borders and terrorism are all complex phenomena which we cannot tackle in isolation. They require multilateral and multidimensional approaches. Above all, they require the political will and commitment that I am encouraged to see here today.
Thank you.