On Thursday 20 October, the European Council meeting held in Brussels concluded that the focus should be on measures to reduce illegal immigration flows to the European Union.
To this end, further efforts are required to conclude the cooperation agreements with five African countries - Niger, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and Ethiopia - on the readmission of illegal asylum-seekers by the end of this year. In the more distant future, the list of such cooperation partners should be completed with other third countries.
The Presidents and Prime Ministers of the European Union concluded that the further strengthening of the EU's external borders, including the common protection of external borders, is the priority. Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis stressed that Latvia has already invested considerable resources to stop illegal migration to the EU. This is necessary to ensure more effective suspension of existing illegal migration flows and to prevent the emergence of new migration routes.
Currently, 38 Latvian experts participate in the Frontex and European Asylum Support Office’s operations in Italy, Greece, Bulgaria and other countries. Latvia contributes a mobile video surveillance complex with a crew, a high-speed boat with a crew, a helicopter with a crew, as well as various experts.
The European Council also analysed the progress in implementing the EU-Turkey Agreement. It was concluded that the agreement is being implemented; however, the implementation should be more efficient. Even though migration flows from Turkey to the Greek islands remain low compared to the situation in the summer of 2015, they still continue.
As announced, on 20-21 October, M. Kučinskis is visiting Brussels to participate in work of the European Council.
Supplementary information:
Andrejs Vaivars
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Phone: 29228678
E-mail: Andrejs.Vaivars@mk.gov.lv