Louis Grech warns of ‘shift in migration routes’

Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech warned that the EU must be prepared for the impact the EU-Turkey agreement could have in terms of shifting migration flows to other routes into Europe.

The proposed plan would see migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey sent back. For each Syrian returned, a Syrian in Turkey would be resettled in the EU.

Since January 2015 a million migrants and refugees have entered the EU by boat from Turkey to Greece. More than 132,000 have arrived this year alone.

Grech told fellow EU ministers that he wants the EU to be “proactive by addressing possible shifts in irregular migration routes once borders along the Western Balkan route have been closed.”

Speaking during an EU ministerial meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels Grech said he wants the EU to be proactive by addressing possible shifts in irregular migration routes once borders along the Western Balkan route have been closed.

The meeting was held in preparation for today’s European Council meeting which will address the ongoing migration challenges facing the EU, particularly in terms of following-up the EU-Turkey meeting held on 7 March.

During the meeting Grech said that Turkey remains fundamental in controlling the migratory flows along the East Mediterranean route and that the EU should do all it can to come to a solution, but not at all costs.

He stressed that any agreement with Turkey will need to be in line with all international obligations, adding that implementation will then need to be the focus.  

Grech also emphasised the need for the EU to focus on a comprehensive approach to migration.

He stated that Member States need to deliver on their promises and  obligations and make progress on all the different elements of the migration and asylum policy, rather than just a few.

These include returns, readmission agreements, relocation and re-settlement, as well as many other aspects. In this regard, the Commission’s Proposal on the reform of the Dublin system without further delay is of utmost importance.

Grech also stressed the significance of fully implementing agreed actions. He stated that “European citizens are looking to us for action. They are correct,” adding that implementation is “a question of regaining credibility.”

 During the Council meeting, Ministers also held a thematic discussion on the European Semester and adopted an Inter-Institutional agreement on better law-making (known as the IIA) which will improve the way in which the EU legislates to ensure that laws better serve citizens and businesses.

Grech welcomed the agreement on the IIA and stated that initiatives for better and smart regulations  reinforce the effectiveness of EU rules, adding that their proper application by Member States will contribute to a successful Single Market. He also stated that the discussion which was held should not be a one-off as it creates a sense of ownership resulting in multiple positive effects.