Date:
5 Jun 2018
"Today is one more important Council here in Luxemburg that is taking place today.
We're going to discuss with the Ministers both migration and security in the aftermath of what happened recently in Liege.
We have to be more vigilant, to work together and cooperate in order to bring to an end this phenomena that is putting at stake our lives.
On migration, we are going to talk about what we have achieved so far and to work together in order to find new ways to address migration in the future. During the last 3 years we have made a great progress. Actually, everything started from here in Luxemburg three years ago. In the meantime we have been in a position to better manage migration. We have improved the management of our borders, however we have to do more in the future.
Dublin is also part of our discussion today. However, I want to clarify one thing: Dublin is a part of the larger package on migration. As you know we have put on the table right now 7 proposals to improve our borders management, to put under control the migratory flows and, of course, to enhance and deepen the cooperation among the MSs. Cooperation is the key word for trust among MSs.
The Commission has taken initiative and so far we have achieved a lot, but we have not finished yet. Migration will be part of our lives for the years to come so we have to be better prepared.
This is the moment to take our responsibilities, to share responsibilities and to show solidarity, not only between us but also towards these desperate people.
It will be a very interesting discussion. I am looking forward to that. I will call on MSs and the respective Ministers to contribute in our internal dialogue in order to reach what is our main goal: to finally adopt and make workable a Common European Asylum System.
Do you expect an agreement today?
The leaders have given a mandate to the Council to find a solution by the end of June. So, if we have to extend it for some weeks it's not the end of the world. We have to take into consideration all the positions that will be expressed by MSs. We are here to play our role as Commission. As you know we have chosen the road of dialogue, we are not here to dictate but to convince. I believe that all the MSs, all governments will understand that it is in their interest and in the interest of our common European family to address this issue in a common way.
Today we are not here to find final consensus, we have much to improve and deepen our cooperation and dialogue. We have a lot of time in front of us to reach a final agreement. I repeat myself by saying that this is the order, the mandate given to the Ministers by their leaders and I believe that the Ministers will listen to their leader's voice.
About Italy, the new situation and the new government's position on migration, what do you think about it?
Well, as you know, we avoid meddling in domestic affairs of all MSs. For me, personally, Italy is one of the most important European countries and Italians are amongst the most European Citizens."