European Commission presents progress report on Partnership Frameworks

The European Commission today presented its first progress report on the implementation of the Partnership Frameworks with third countries, adding that the program was already starting to show tangible results.

The framework, which was announced last June, is intended to increase cooperation between the EU and third countries to effectively manage problems related to migration. 

"Today's First Progress Report shows that this new approach works, in the interest of both the EU and partner countries. Now the task is to step up our efforts and deliver a lasting change in the way we manage mobility and migration with our partners in Africa and the neighbourhood," said Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker.

Work to address the problem in the short-term, as well as deeper investment to tackling the root causes of irregular migration has started with five priority countries: Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ethiopia.

Coordination between the EU and these priority countries has seen a number of high-level visits to priority countries take place. EU Commissioners and Member States political leaders, backed by technical missions of senior officials of EU institutions and Member States have visited the countries over the past months. The aim of these visits, the Commission has said, is to obtain a better understanding of EU and partner countries’ priorities and establish greater willingness for cooperation.

Furthermore, the Commission has proposed key initiatives such as the External Investment Plan to encourage investment in Africa and the EU neighbourhood and the proposal for a Union Resettlement Framework to ensure orderly and safe pathways to Europe for persons in need of international protection.

The Commission has said that as a result of this cooperation, Niger has taken action to combat migrant smuggling and set up an institutional framework for managing the migration dialogue with the EU. Moreover, both Senegal and Mali have strengthened operational cooperation, while negotiations on a readmission agreement with Nigeria will be opening in the coming days.

The commission said that the EU has stepped up its support through its CSDP Missions, its technical assistance and financial tools, in particular the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

Under the EU Trust Fund for Africa, which was signed by 25 EU member states as well as Norway and Switzerland, contracts in support of the actions were signed for almost €400 million.

In Niger, the EU is providing support through the new field office of EUCAP Sahel Niger in Agadez, while in Nigeria, the EU Trust Fund for Africa has mobilised projects addressing specific migration management issues.

Projects creating jobs for youth have been adopted under the EU Trust Fund for Africa in Senegal. Also in Mali and Ethiopia a number of projects have been approved.

Another initiative is that European Migration Liaison Officers will be posted in key third countries to serve as focal points in EU Delegations to liaise with.

The commission has also said that specific projects under the EU Trust Fund for Africa, are currently being finalised to address key challenges in priority countries.

Finally, the Commission has further adopted a decision to increase the EU Trust Fund for Africa by a further € 500 million from the European Development Fund reserve to finance actions under the partnership framework.