EU leaders agreed on action to manage migration

At an informal meeting in Brussels on 23 September, the EU heads of state or government urged the EU institutions and member states' governments to accelerate their work on measures proposed by the Commission to manage migration. The EU leaders also discussed how to address the reasons why people leave their home countries.

- In addition to immediate action, it is of utmost importance to find a solution to the Syrian crisis. It is one of the main reasons for the current migration crisis, Prime Minister Juha Sipilä said.

The heads of state or government considered it important to increase aid to refugees through international actors, such as the UN's World Food Programme. Additional funding is needed to assist Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey in dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis. The EU's Emergency Trust Fund will also be increased to stabilise the situation in Africa.

Dialogue with Turkey will be reinforced and the Western Balkan countries assisted in the management of refugee flows.

Control at the EU's external borders will be strengthened through additional resources to Frontex, Europol and the European Asylum Support Office, EASO. The EU leaders stressed the importance of upholding the Dublin regulation and the Schengen acquis and of the front-line member states' responsibility to efficiently register those entering the EU. New registration centres, or 'hotspots', will be established in Italy and Greece by the end of November.

Inquiries: Kare Halonen, State Secretary, EU Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 315, Jari Haapiainen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 295 160 406 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office