EP’s civil liberties committee approves Metsola-Kyenge report on migration

The European Parliament has set out the way forward on the refugee crisis with the Civil Liberties Committee adopting a report on tackling migration from all aspects and laying out the EP’s political direction on this very important subject.

“We need to look at every single aspect and come up with an all-encompassing plan that looks at the short, medium and long-term responses. This is what this Report is about,” co-rapporteur Roberta Metsola (EPP, Malta) said.

Last year alone, 1.8 million people crossed into Europe: 3,771 drowned in the Mediterranean and this year already more than 77 children have perished.

“As regards the recent EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan, we emphasise the need for all parties to fulfil the agreement and for Turkey to fulfil its commitments to prevent irregular migration flows from its territory to the EU,” Metsola said.

The other co-rapporteur was Cecile Kyenge (S&D, Italy).

“When it comes to Frontex, the recently-proposed European Border and Coast Guard will set up an integrated border management at the external borders with a view to managing migration effectively and ensuring a high level of internal security. Security fears do exist among our citizens and Member States must fulfil their obligations at the external borders if these fears are to be in any way allayed,” the MEPs said.

“The abolition of the Schengen internal border controls has to go hand-in-hand with strengthening external borders. This is simply a pre-requisite if we are to save Schengen.”

Another crucial aspect mentioned was disrupting the activities of criminal networks involved in trafficking and people smuggling.

“We know that not everyone who arrives in Europe is eligible for protection. And we understand that the return of those who are not eligible must be carried out. Only 36% of those who were ordered to leave the EU were actually returned in 2014. There is therefore a clear need to improve the effectiveness of our return system - and this is something that simply must be done.

“At the same time, we need additional readmission agreements with third countries which are essential if we are to have a coherent return strategy,” Metsola said.