The European Council discussed migration

The European Council meeting begun on 15 October discussed comprehensive measures for managing migration. Apart from the EU’s own measures, cooperation with Turkey has a key role in resolving the crisis.

The EU’s objective is to agree on a joint Action Plan with Turkey in order to manage migration. In the longer term, the EU is willing to accelerate agreement on visa liberalisation.

“Progress in negotiations with Turkey is an important step in preventing expansion of the crisis”, says Prime Minister Juha Sipilä.

The objective of the Valletta Summit to take place in November is to agree on concrete measures together with African countries.

As to the Union’s own measures, the European Council urges the implementation of the internal relocations already agreed. The importance of establishing hotspots within the agreed timeframe was emphasised. Also outlined was the need for strengthening the control of the EU’s external borders and for a common return policy.

“The Union and the Member States must determinedly enforce mutually agreed decisions to manage migration. For example, now only about 40 per cent of those receiving a negative decision are returned. We must be able to achieve a more effective return policy”, says Prime Minister Juha Sipilä. 

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