YouTube: https://youtu.be/LasxhupCFZI
Good morning first of all, as you know, this Council is the very first one after the summer.
During the summer we have made quite important progress in the field of implementing our policy on migration.
We are in the aftermath of the creation of the EBCG, but we are not there yet. This new agency has to be supported by all MS – so I intend to make an appeal in order all MS to provide with the technical support and the human resources the new EBCG.
On the other hand we are determined to make one more step forward: this is the moment to create a more efficient, new CEAS.
Our objective is to stop illegal migration at the borders of Europe. In order to achieve it, we have to: enhance and deepen cooperation with third countries, like Turkey (where the EU-Turkey deal works properly); and, of course, to implement our Compact Partnership Packages with African countries.
We have been travelling in all these places, we are in open contacts with their authorities and I believe that at the end we shall manage to have the whole problem under control.
Last but not least, the link between security and migration. With the ministers today, we are going to discuss new ideas on how to enhance even more the protection of our borders and hinder security problems from expanding. That’s where we are standing now and I hope that on my way out, I will have some more news for you, thank you.
Q. Flexible solidarity: What do you feel about that?
A. Let me be very clear once again: we do not water down our policy on migration in general. The so-called flexible solidarity does not mean that we have abolished what we all together have decided here in Luxembourg. It has to do with the future – then we discuss new ideas. But what has been decided will be implemented. It is very very clear and all MS must take their share of responsibilities and to prove it by implementing what we have discussed and decided on relocation and resettlement.
Q. Do you believe that MS have understood the urgency of the reform of the Common European Asylum System?
A. Absolutely. I believe we are going to have a very fruitful discussion today with the ministers. Because if we had had a common and effective European system 3 years ago, we wouldn’t have lived all these problems. But we have made progress during the last months, all MS are trying very hard in order to adopt a common European policy on asylum. I am very optimistic that in the end we shall manage to do it.
Q. Agreement with TK on definition of terrorism.
The Council is working on that. As I said before, the EU-TK deal works and works properly. Just remember where we were one year ago and where we are now. Last year we had more than 6-7,000 people crossing illegally the Aegean Sea and some other parts of Europe. But now the numbers have subsided dramatically to 50-60 persons per day now. But all MS have to improve their systems. It is their competence to implement our policy. There are some shortfalls, some gaps, and here we are to help these countries to do their job better.