Dear all, first of all, let me thank the Dutch Presidency and my colleague Klaas Dijkhoff for another timely and constructive meeting. Our discussions today focused on how to all work together on the basis of a European approach. We must deliver.
A number of actions need to happen simultaneously for our common strategy to succeed. First of all, we need to focus on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Greece. We all know that this country, or any country, cannot face alone such a difficult situation. This is a European problem and requires a European solution.
Last week, the Commission proposed the Emergency Assistance instrument. After yesterday’s endorsement by Member States, I am pleased to see that things are moving quickly. The Commission has also developed a contingency and response plan to cater for up to 100,000 persons that may find themselves stranded in Greece.
We have also increased emergency assistance for asylum and migration with €275.5 million in 2016. This will be to support Member States who are particularly under pressure.
Secondly, on the hotspots: we continue to work closely with Greece and Italy. And there is tangible progress: already 8 out of 11 are operational. Minister Alfano informed me today that 4 hotspots are operational in Italy. The remaining 3 should be opened soon.
In addition, all migrants over 14 years are being fingerprinted and registered, and security checks against national and international databases are taking place. But Frontex, Europol and EASO are still in urgent need for more experts, and I have called on Member States to deliver those swiftly.
Thirdly, on relocation: The numbers continue to be very low. Member States have only offered places for 3,412 asylum seekers, and only 885 people have been relocated. Several Member States have not yet offered to relocate a single asylum seeker!
However, last week, we experienced the swift relocation of 287 people (241 from Greece alone). This shows that if Member States are committed, relocation can work. We need to build on that positive experience.
On Schengen: I am very pleased that on Monday, Heads of State or Government gave full support to the Commission’s roadmap on bringing Schengen back to normality.
Let me also say a few words on the European Border and Cost Guard. I warmly welcome the Council’s progress on our proposal. This shows that Member States are determined to move forward quickly. I am also in contact with the European Parliament to ensure that it moves equally quickly, so that we enter in the next phase of negotiations among co-legislators.
Finally, on Turkey: the Monday Summit was of course a turning point, but many details still need to be worked out until next week’s crucial European Council meeting. President Tusk is leading this endeavour.
In the meantime, it is a reminder that solving the refugee crisis will require efforts at many different levels, including continuing to work towards stability in Syria.
In parallel, we need to ensure safe legal channels to come to Europe, and cutting the smuggling routes – because if you shut the irregular backdoor, you have to open the regular and safe window.
Ladies and gentlemen,we are seeing some tangible changes: but we have to pull through, in order to see effective results.
The only way, is forward and together, because no one will solve this for us. We have to manage this collectively, within the EU, and with our neighbouring countries and key partners such as UNHCR.