Press release: European Agenda on Migration

The European Commission has today issued its communication on the delivery of the European Agenda on Migration. Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament stress the importance of sharing responsibility between EU Members States and we welcome the Commission’s new set of initiatives to address key areas of migration policy. Cecilia Wikström, ALDE’s spokesperson on migration, reacting to the Commission’s statement said:

”I welcome the European Commission’s call on Member States to resettle 50,000 people from refugee camps in third countries to the EU, via the UNHCR,over the coming two years. Instead of making dangerous journeys and being lured into the hands of human traffickers to reach Europe, people can be resettled to a Member State in a safe and legal way, and directly have the opportunity to start a new life in his or her new homeland.

I also welcome the fact that the European Commission is highlighting the importance of the Dublin regulation which is currently being revised. Under my leadership, the European Parliament is expected to adopt its position in October and I expect the Council to now increase its efforts to agree on a common position, so that the negotiations can start. We need to have a new functioning asylum system in place as soon as possible.

It is positive that the Commission is looking for new ways to improve the mechanisms to return people who are not entitled to live in Europe and I welcome the attempt to link this issue with structured opportunities for labour migration from these countries.”

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