Africa
#EUMigration: Visa liberalisation, new routes, compacts and relocation, relocation, relocation
Most migration issues have already been discussed extensively by the relevant ministers of the EU's 28 member states. Still the political imprimatur of the Council’s heads of government is critical in the most sensitive of areas.
The Commissions actions in the field of migration, particularly the different partnership 'compact' agreements with various African countries were welcomed. The High Representative Mogherini's progress report presented last week was welcomed by the Council with a further progress report requested for December.
Turkey
The situation in the Eastern Mediterranean requires 'further imlementation'. One of the most controversial aspects includes Council's call for progress on visa liberalisation for Turkey. The Council invites the 'co-legislators' - read European Parliament - to 'reach agreement within the next few weeks on the revision of the suspension applied to visas'.
Recent pronouncements from the Parliament, including the EPP group, would suggest that parliamentarians are likely to take a tougher stance on this issue.
Western Mediterranean
Having covered the Eastern and Central Mediterranean routes, the Council stated that vigilance was needed on other routes and stand ready to 'rapidly react to developments' in the Western Mediterranean.
Relocation, relocation, relocation
Member states agreed to further intensify their efforts to accelerate relocation, in particular, for unaccompanied minors, and existing resettlement schemes. The conclusions notes that this is without prejudice to the proceedings brought by Hungary, Slovakia and Poland to challenge the agreement on emergency relocation from Greece and Italy.
Background
European Council conclusions on migration 20 October 2016
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