EU leaders recognise urgency of dealing with migration but action plans only in autumn

European leaders have recognised the urgency of dealing with migration at the EU’s borders but action plans will only be presented in autumn.

Migration was on the agenda of a summit of EU leaders on Thursday but the debate only lasted 10 minutes as issues concerning Russia and Hungary overshadowed the discussion.

In their final conclusions, European leaders said measures adopted by the EU and member states have brought down the overall irregular flows in recent years, but acknowledged that “developments on some routes give rise to serious concern and require continued vigilance and urgent action”.

Leaders said that in order to prevent loss of life and to reduce pressure on European borders, mutually beneficial partnerships and cooperation with countries of origin and transit will be intensified, “as an integral part of the EU’s external action”.

“The approach will be pragmatic, flexible and tailor-made, make coordinated use, as Team Europe, of all available EU and Member States’ instruments and incentives, and take place in close cooperation with the UNHCR and IOM,” the conclusions said.

They called on the European Commission and the High Representative to “immediately reinforce concrete actions with, and tangible support for, priority countries of origin and transit”, in cooperation with member states.

However, leaders were less forthcoming in tackling the contentious issue of migrant relocations within the bloc, a matter that has long been pushed by frontline countries like Malta and Italy.

EU leaders invited the European Commission and the High Representative to put forward “action plans for priority countries of origin and transit in autumn 2021”.

These action plans will do nothing to mitigate the impact of an expected surge of migrant arrivals during the coming months.

However, in the conclusions on the EU’s external relations, the European Council confirmed its commitment to Libya’s stabilisation process under the auspices of the United Nations. EU leaders said that elections in Libya should take place as agreed in the roadmap on 24 December 2021 and their results accepted by all.

“The European Council calls for progress on the inclusive and Libyan-owned political dialogue and for the withdrawal without delay of all foreign forces and mercenaries,” the leaders said.

Libya is a major transit country for sub-Saharan migrants and the turmoil of recent years has exacerbated departures at the hands of organised crime groups, who use human smuggling as a source of income to finance militias.

The EU has been supporting the Libyan coastguard in its efforts to stem migrant departures and engage in rescues. However, human rights groups have criticised the EU of aiding the forced repatriation of migrants escaping a worn-torn country.

READ ALSO: Migrant landings in Malta down by 33% last year