EU should place particular emphasis on the management of migration flows

According to Finnish Minister of the Interior Kari Rajamäki, the EU should place particular emphasis on the management of migration flows. Migration issues need to be addressed comprehensively and in cooperation with third countries, particularly with African countries and in the future also with the eastern and south-eastern neighbours of Europe.

As holder of the EU Presidency, Finland has drawn attention to migration issues at all meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. In July, the Justice and Home Affairs Council received a report on the outcome of the first Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development that was held in Rabat, Morocco, on 10 and 11 July. The conference included a broad public debate on the situation in the Mediterranean. In addition, the Commission presented its Communication on illegal immigration.

At the informal Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) ministerial meeting in Tampere in September, the ministers held a broad public debate on the management of migration flows. Finland presented its initiative on extended solidarity which aims to broaden the debate on extended European solidarity in immigration, border control and asylum policies. Furthermore, in September a UN high-level meeting on migration and development was arranged in the United States.

The October Council adopted the conclusions on reinforcing the EU's southern external maritime borders.

The December Council received a report on the outcome of the first EU-Africa Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development held in Tripoli. The Council also adopted the new EU border management strategy initiated by Finland and the conclusions on the review of the Hague Programme. Furthermore, the Commission presented its progress report on the implementation of the global approach to migration and Communication on Reinforcing the Management of the European Union's Southern Maritime Borders.

"EU Member States are responsible for controlling their external borders. This includes providing the necessary infrastructure, purchasing equipment and recruiting personnel. The EU's solidarity is implemented through the External Borders Fund and joint operations coordinated by Frontex," said Mr Rajamäki during the debate on migration.

The European Council will discuss migration and border control issues at its meeting on 15 and 16 December.

For further information, please contact Kari Salmi, State Secretary, tel. +358 9 160 42802; Ritva Viljanen, Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 9 160 42803; Antti Pelttari, Director-General, tel. +358 9 160 42290; or Pentti Visanen, Director-General, tel. +358 9 160 42700