A much-needed agenda on migration - Main contents

Commission takes action and intervenes upstream in regions of origin and transit of migrants

In today's College meeting, we have approved a much-needed EU Agenda on migration. The events in recent weeks in the Mediterranean have shown the need to take bold actions to save lives and address the growing migration crisis. The Commission has swiftly reacted by proposing a coordinated approach between all the different policies and services involved.

In this sense, it is important to recall that every project we run through EU's development cooperation can make a substantial contribution to addressing the root causes of irregular and forced migration - which range from situations of extreme poverty to armed conflict. Strengthening cooperation and partnership with third countries is crucial here.

More specifically, part of EU's work on development policy also aims at maximising the development benefits of migration and mobility, while strengthening migrants’ and refugees’ rights. For example, EUR 344 million are dedicated to migration under the Global Public Goods & Challenges programme of the Development Cooperation Instrument. EU funded interventions include activities that range from improving capacities for better migration and border management, fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, strengthening capacities to provide international protection and assistance to refugees and to maximise the development impact of remittances and diaspora contributions.

As stressed in today's Agenda, the United Nations will shortly adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The EU will continue to actively support migration-related targets as part of the final overall framework, and to emphasise the importance of harnessing the positive effects of migration as a horizontal means of implementation for the post-2015 development agenda.

I am confident that today's Agenda sends a clear signal that the EU is committed to address the migration challenges we are facing in a holistic and balanced manner, in close cooperation with our partner countries. I am looking forward to developing a common approach on this with the African region at the dedicated summit that will be organised in Malta in the autumn, together with the African Union.