4 EU policy areas unveiled for Migration

The European Commission launched its work on a comprehensive European Agenda on Migration. The College of Commissioners held a first orientation debate on key actions to step up the EU's efforts to implement the existing tools and cooperation in managing migration flows from third countries. The efforts are focused on four main areas. These include:

A strong Common Asylum System

The Commission will take all efforts that existing divergences in national asylum policy practices disappear. Deepening the cooperation with third countries will also be essential to address the root causes of migration, as well as mainstreaming migration into the design of development strategies. Finally, the Commission is committed to making progress in the increased use of relocation and resettlement efforts by the European Union, in close dialogue with Member States and third countries which host important numbers of refugees.

A new European policy on legal migration

Whilst addressing existing unemployment, Europe will have to attract the right talent to be more competitive at a global level. This is a long-term effort which we have to start preparing now. That is why the European Commission will launch a review of the EU Blue Card Directive. This is a challenging and long term process and can only work in discussion with Member States, including on a more horizontal approach to legal migration policy.

Fighting irregular migration and human trafficking more robustly

People migrate irregularly for a variety of reasons. In 2014, there were about 278.000 irregular border crossings according to Frontex - twice as many as in 2011. Many of these migrants make use of smugglers - or are taken advantage of by...