y

^

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Ursula von der Leyen

The President

Brussels

Dear colleagues

At last month’s Special Meeting of the European Council
our

we

agreed to strengthen and accelerate

work with an ambitious set of operational measures on migration and border management

Ahead of our next meeting I would like to update you on progress The terrible loss of life in the

shipwreck off the coast of Calabria at the end of February was a vivid reminder of the urgency for
action

While the challenges of migration are constantly evolving the solutions share a common thread A

fair and sustainable solution can only be found in a European and balanced approach
achieve much more when we act together

We can

This is true for all our key goals

effective external borders working with partners to prevent
irregular departures and break the business model of the smuggling networks supporting those in
need of international protection offering safe and alternative legal pathways and returning those
with no right to stay Our discussion on competitiveness will also serve as a reminder that in
addition to reskilling and upskilling our labour force facilitating access to the labour market for
third country nationals including through the recognition of skills and qualifications can help
answer our own needs It is also an important element in our engagement with partner countries
Balance is at the heart of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and this is why we must keep up
the momentum to advance in line with the Joint Roadmap of the European Parliament and Council
towards agreement before the end of this legislature
In the meantime

the operational measures set out in my letter and discussed in our February

meeting show how much we can already do now I outlined four areas for immediate action on
strengthening external borders on border procedures and expedited returns on addressing

secondary movements and ensuring effective solidarity and on working with partners to improve
migration management and return In the space ofjust one month there has already been progress
in all these areas

Commission europeenne Europese Commissie 1049 Bruxelles Brussel BELGIQUE BELGIE

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Strengthening external borders On 14 March the Commission set out a new strategic approach
on European Integrated Border Management for the next five years
This is the result of close
collaboration with Member States and the European Parliament It provides a clear framework for
cooperation and coordination for over 120 000 European Border and Coast Guard officers from
Member States national authorities and of Frontex
’

We need to target our means effectively to make best use of the EUR 600 million being made

available shortly to substantially support Member States with border control and technological

equipment A first objective would be the key border between Bulgaria and Turkiye where the
Commission is working with the Bulgarian authorities to finalise an assessment of needs Frontex

has also been taking a fresh look at overall needs at all external borders It is expected to reach
conclusions

at its

Management Board next week identifying key operations for strengthening

border protection
We have continued our close cooperation with partners in North Africa and the delivery of vessels

Libya continues to reinforce search and rescue capacities The European Search and Rescue
Contact group has been relaunched offering a platform for Member States to engage with the aim
of setting up an enhanced cooperation framework for search and rescue The Commission has also
taken contacts with several Member States on identified discrepancies in the registration of
irregular arrivals and we have agreed with Member States to step up the work of the Blueprint
Network to establish a common EU situational awareness and early warning system
to

In the Western Balkans Frontex has started deploying its border guards in Serbia with already
130 standing corps deployed at its borders with Hungary and Bulgaria Recently Serbia confirmed

swiftly start negotiations on a new status agreement which will allow the
deployment of standing corps also between the borders of the Western Balkan partners
Negotiations with Montenegro and Albania on status agreements allowing for deployments and
joint patrols have taken a decisive step forward In addition the new EUR 40 million border
protection assistance package for the Western Balkans with modernised equipment is underway
its commitment to

Border procedures and expedited returns An agreement has been reached with the governments of

Bulgaria and Romania to set up pilot schemes showcasing good practices in accelerated asylum
procedures and effective returns border management and reinforced cooperation with
neighbouring countries based on applicable EU and national law These pilot schemes will
contribute to prevent irregular migration as well as strengthen border and migration management
They are being set up with the financial and operational support of the Commission Frontex
Europol and the EU Agency for Asylum
On 14 March

the Commission also adopted a recommendation on mutual recognition of return

decisions made possible by the entry into operation of the revamped Schengen Information System
and expediting return The aim is to speed up returns by increasing synergies between asylum and
return procedures facilitatingfaster returns close to external borders and stepping up measures to

prevent absconding The EU Asylum Agency is preparing a guidance document on Safe Third
Countries following discussions in its Management Board this month Work continues to address

different routes and the Commission is working with the Member States most concerned on the

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Action Plans for the Atlantic Western Mediterranean and the Eastern Mediterranean

while

pursuing efforts to implement the EU Turkey Statement

Secondary movements and effective solidarity New procedures for the Voluntary Solidarity
Mechanism have been agreed in the Solidarity Platform and the first transfers have now taken
place from Spain and Malta complementing those from Italy and Cyprus On this basis it will now
be important to continue accelerating transfers
also monitoring progress with implementation of the Dublin Roadmap including
registration in Eurodac supporting work that will reduce incentives for secondary movements The
We

are

Commission wilt report on the implementation of the Dublin Roadmap later in the year

as set out

at the Justice and Home

Affairs Council on 9 March New support amounting to EUR 200 million
will target help on reception addressing key concerns such as the reception of unaccompanied
minors increasing capacities close to external borders and meeting needs of specific Member
States

Working with partners to improve migration and return management Since our last meeting
contacts have been stepped up with key partners High Representative Vice President Borrell
Commissioner Vdrhelyi and Commission Johansson visited the Western Balkans
and we see both
growing visa policy alignment and cooperation with Frontex leading to sustained decreases of
irregular migration along the route We have assisted Bosnia and Herzegovina in stepping up
returns to the countries of origin with similar arrangements to be launched soon also with Serbia
A new EUR 30 million anti smuggling regional project is bringing together EU and Member State
experts to support the Western Balkans partner countries in the fight against smuggling The
Commission will strengthen its monitoring of the visa policy alignment and will present a
comprehensive report paving the way for a legislative proposal amending the visa suspension
mechanism
With partners in North Africa
rescue

we

continue to equip and train border management and search and

services while also developing the law enforcement and prosecution cooperation essential

to countering the organised crime gangs behind migrant smuggling

The first phase of our border

protection assistance package for Egypt is being implemented We have intensified our cooperation
across

the region to step up returns from North Africa directly to the countries of origin These are

goals for the more than half a billion euros devoted to current border protection and antismuggling projects in North Africa and the Western Balkans The Commission is also supporting
Turkiye to prevent irregular migration flows at the Eastern borders with a new EUR 220 million
project for state of the art surveillance equipment
Given the increasing migratory pressure the Commission stands ready to mobilise an additional
EUR no

million

for projects in North Africa on top of the already committed
EUR 208 million to support voluntary return anti smuggling cooperation equipment and training
On 1 March Commissioner Vdrhelyi signed five cooperation agreements with Morocco including
EUR 152 million in migration budget support Vice President Schinas will be visiting Egypt on 26
28 March and Commissioner Johansson will be joined by Italian and French Ministers in a visit to
Tunisia soon We believe in engaging closely with partners in a Team Europe approach

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I therefore encourage you to contribute to these efforts to enhance our common response

including

with Commission and Member States ’joint visits to partner countries

Reinforced cooperation with Bangladesh following a comprehensive engagement on migration and
proposed measures under the Visa Code has brought real results Further engagement including a
visit by Commissioner Johansson in November last year combined with work on the Talent
Partnership for labour migration resulted in nearly all readmission requests now being accepted
Frontex’s first return flight to Bangladesh on 15 March is a major landmark
Planning for the EU Ministerial Forum on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways in May is

specific focus on innovative practices such as well as humanitarian
corridors The Commission will provide at least EUR 480 million in finding for resettlement and
humanitarian corridors until 2025 offering to support the resettlement of around 50 000 persons
The Forum will be prepared at technical level with Member States and the EU Asylum Agency
now

advancing

with

a

advancing in our work with external partners we will need to support them in
addressing root causes of irregular migration and harness all leverages and tools including by
providing for safe and orderly legal pathways Over time we have been building some powerful
tools the Post Cotonou Agreement is a good example the most comprehensive legally binding
framework on return and readmission and irregular migration yet agreed with 79 AJrican
Caribbean and Pacific partners The signature of this agreement is crucial for us to continue
To continue

supporting cooperation activities in partner countries
We have shown in the past year how powerful our impact can be when the European institutions

and Member States work together in a whole ofgovernment Team Europe approach

We will only

bring our collective weight to bear if we work together in very practical ways Pooling our efforts
speaking with one voice and ensuring that partners see us working together as a single entity are
all essential to keeping up the momentum of action
Yours sincerely

Ursula von der Leyen

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Follow up after February Special European Council situation as of 17 March

President’s letter EUCO conclusions
1

Follow up

external
borders
key
Strengthening
Union
measures
through
targeted
combining Frontex deployments of personnel
and equipment mobilisation of EU funds to

•

Border Management adopted by Commission on 14

March
•

Frontex review of deployments and priorities ahead of
Management Board on 23 March call for equipment to be
put at the disposal of Frontex closed in January 2023
applications from 13 Member States being evaluated

•

Launch of a Commission call in mid 2023 to support the

support Member States in reinforcing border
control capabilities

means of surveillance and

equipment and bilateral funding including
through the voluntary solidarity mechanism
The Bulgaria Turkiye border to be a priority

Multi annual strategic policy for European Integrated

purchase of electronic surveillance systems at the

open to the involvement of other interested
Member States

external border
•

Bulgarian Turkish border Commission Bulgaria joint
needs assessment is underway and will be concluded by
end March Actions to support the purchase of equipment
at the Bulgarian Turkish border to be launched in April
2023

2

Reinforced

border

management

in

Search and Rescue

European Search and Rescue Contact
Group meeting
January followed up with
discussions on situational awareness and private vessels
27 28 February
Cooperation with North Africa partners
to be taken forward in upcoming missions point 11

partner countries
Reinforced

•

on 31

regional

in

cooperation

the

Mediterranean to strengthen coordination
of search and rescue capacities and border
surveillance at
Tunisia

sea

and

Egypt

Following first delivery in February two more boats to be
delivered to Libya in coming weeks

and land borders of

Libya

Increased

support for equipment and training will be

provided

This will

Reactivation of the trilateral EU AU UN Task Force to

complement continued

support safe pathways and assisted voluntary returns out of

support to UNHCR and lOM to assist these

Libya confirmed in principals meeting in Brussels on 20

countries to build their capacity for asylum
and
reception of those in need of
international

protection

March
Funds contracted in January 2023

Work with North

tendering underway for

radar equipment to strengthen Tunisia’s coastal

African countries and lOM to return people

surveillance and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
Support to be expanded to meet Tunisia’s needs for

with no right to stay

maintenance surveillance equipment and vessels

Equipment and capacity building for Egypt Market search
ongoing to find vessels to refurbish to strengthen Search
and Rescue capacity Second programme being prepared
for July 2023 to strengthen management of land and sea
borders drones electro optical systems
•

Deployment of border guards from Frontex
and
joint patrols to support border
management

in

the

Western

the

by

specific

support

Frontex and Member States on return

1 April

deployment of Frontex Standing Corps mid

April
•

Technical negotiations concluded with Montenegro and
Albania on 22 24 February now consultation with Member

and Bosnia and Herzegovina This should be

complemented

Status Agreement with North Macedonia enters into force
on

Balkans

conclusion of new status
with
Albania Montenegro Serbia
agreements

through

•

States

from
•

Need to launch formal negotiations with Serbia and
Bosnia and Herzegovina underlined in Commission visits

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President’s letter EUCO conclusions

Follow up

During the visit of Commissioner Johansson to Serbia on 16
March together with the Executive Director of Frontex
Serbia confirmed readiness to start the formal negotiations
on

3

Achieving 100
arrivals

registration of irregular

third

of

external borders

country

nationals

•

at

through an assessment by

the Commission in cooperation with Member

•

identifying
key measures to reach that objective
The Commission will work with Member

Following technical exchange on Eurodac discrepancies
Commission presented gap analysis at Schengen Council
on 9 March

States of the state of registration

4

the new status agreement

Bilateral meetings between Commission and all Member

States underway in the context of the Dublin roadmap

implementation
•

see

point 10

Commission and Member States agreed on 14 March to step

States and agencies to develop a common EU

up the work of the Blueprint network to establish an EU

situational

situational awareness and early warning system

and

improve early
warning and operational response by
combining information from sources to
and
an
include
services
intelligence
accelerated deployment of the European
awareness

•

As part of the revamped Blueprint network EU INTCEN
EU Intelligence and Situation Centre will provide periodic

briefings on migration

border surveillance system
5

Pilot scheme in the first half of 2023

with

•

interested Member States and in cooperation
with partners

for instance along the Western

Balkan route to apply an accelerated border
procedure to cover screening identification
fast asylum procedure safe third country first
country of asylum safe country of origin and

Agreement has been reached with the government of
Romania on a pilot project for accelerated asylum
procedures and effective returns border management and
cooperation with Serbia exchange of letters between
Commissioner Johansson and Romanian Minister of Interior
Bode and joint statement published on 17 March

•

Agreement has been reached with the government of
Bulgaria on a pilot project for accelerated asylum
procedures effective returns border management and
cooperation with neighbouring countries exchange of letters
and joint statement published on 20 March

•

Commission and EU agencies will provide the necessary

security grounds and immediate return This
would be supported by Frontex the EU
Asylum Agency and Europol

operational technical and financial support for the
successful implementation of these pilot projects
6

Mutual recognition of return decisions and
return

expedited

procedures

•

a

recommendation by Spring 2023 to use a new
feature in the Schengen Information System to

Commission Recommendation on mutual recognition of
return decisions and expediting returns adopted on 14

March
•

identify where someone has already received a
return decision by a Member State and to
recognise that decision and to make full use
of the existing legal framework to expedite

The new Schengen Information System was launched and
became fully operational on 7 March

returns

7

The EU should have
Third

Countries

common

and

Safe

lists of Safe
Countries

•

of

Management Board on 6 7 March to support the application
of these concepts by the Member States based on the current
legislation

Origin The Commission and the EU Asylum
Agency will support the co legislators to
establish

such lists

In

the

meantime

to

support Member States in using existing

options

on

safe

third

countries

and

safe

EU Asylum Agency guidance document discussed by

•

Negotiations on provisions on Safe Third Countries and Safe
Countries of Origin ongoing under proposals for Asylum
Procedure Regulation the guidance document by the EU

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President’s letter EUCO conclusions
countries of origin

more

efficiently

Follow up

the EU

Asylum Agency will also support these discussions

Asylum Agency will conduct a mapping of the
state of play and provide guidance to increase

the use of these principles
8

The EU

Asylum Agency will develop an
overview by mid 2023 and report regularly on
the reception conditions for asylum seekers
including on detention in all Member States
The Commission and the Agency will also
provide technical assistance to Member States
to
ensure
compliance with reception

•

gathered infonnation from Member States on reception and
detention of asylum seekers for a consolidated assessment
•

To ensure implementation of the Voluntary

Solidarity Mechanism participating Member
States based on the improvements identified
should agree on a
by the Commission
significant simplification of the existing

capacity near external borders €50 million €80
reserved for dedicated programmes for specific
priorities including Cyprus first reception
•

as

Revised Standard Operating Procedures for the Voluntary
Solidarity Mechanism speeding up selection of candidates
for transfer endorsed by the Solidarity Platform on 24

February
•

relocation processes in the first quarter of
2023 and accelerate pledging
including
alternatives to relocation such

New call for proposals to support reception capacity

for unaccompanied minors €70 million and reception

standards
9

As part of the Dublin roadmap the EU Asylum Agency has

524 relocations took place so far 397 from Italy 111 from

Cyprus 34 from Spain and 16 from Malta The transfers
took place to Germany France Croatia Romania and

financial

Luxembourg

The Commission will use the
Platform
to coordinate the matching
Solidarity

contributions

of pledges with the needs of Member States
on the full implementation of the
Dublin Roadmap with the support of the EU
Asylum Agency will be taken forward as a
priority to address bottlenecks in the

10 Work

implementation

of

Dublin

transfers

•

•

The

Commission will monitor this work closely
11 Central to the EU’s work of deepening overall

relations

with

key

partners

such

as

Morocco
Egypt
Tunisia and Nigeria is to put in place specific
in
initiatives on migration management
returns
and
to
improve
particular
readmission including by increasing returns
from the third countries along the route and
to prevent departures These will include
ambitious legal migration pathways such as
Talent Partnerships boosting international
mobility and the development of skills in a
mutually beneficial way

Bangladesh

Dublin Contact Committee on 16 March took stock of
Roadmap implementation reviewing actions so far

Commission will conduct bilateral meetings with all
concerned Member States by the end of May to identify and
resolve gaps in the implementation of the Dublin system

•

Programming of projects in all six countries underway

•

Article 25a next report to be presented by autumn

Pakistan

OUTREACH
•

Bangladesh

Commissioner Urpilainen met Prime Minister

Hasina on 7 March

Comprehensive migration and mobility

dialogue Talent Partnership round table on 1 2 March First
Frontex return flight on 15 March readmission requests now
routinely accepted
Pakistan Comprehensive migration and mobility dialogue
Talent Partnership round table on 14 15 March Three joint
return operations in February and March to Pakistan post
arrival assistance provided to returnees by the EU
• Morocco
Commissioner Varhelyi visit to Morocco 1 2
March signed €624 million package including €152 million
migration budget support first €35 million disbursement
made Talent Partnership round table on 13 April

•

•

Tunisia Commissioner Gentiloni in Tunis on 26 27 March
to discuss Macro Financial Assistance Commissioner

Johansson to travel to Tunis with interested Member States
soon preceded by joint Commission EEAS Senior Officials

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President’s letter EUCO conclusions

Follow up

delegation on 21 22 March following FAC discussion on 20
March Talent Partnership round table Q2 2023
•
Egypt Vice President Schinas mission on 26 28 March
Talent Partnership round table Q2 2023
•
Nigeria next mission being planned to discuss reinforced
engagement on migration in the context of readmission
negotiations timing to be confirmed
12 The

Commission

will

launch

new

anti-

smuggling operational partnerships with
Tunisia and Egypt in 2023 building on those
in place with Morocco
Niger and the
Western Balkans with the support of Europol
and Eurojust Regional initiatives should
include
joint operational teams with

•

Anti smuggling operational partnership ASOP in Niger

operational building on Joint Investigation Teams the
ASOP will consist of support for investigation and
prosecution border management including with Frontex and
EU CAP Sahel information campaign on risks and legal
alternatives to irregular migration
•

prosecutors and law enforcement authorities
of Member
States
and
Tlie
partners

ASOPs in consolidation phase Morocco with Member
State led cooperation to be broadened including with Niger
and Europol Western Balkans meeting of all partners with

Commission will also advance Frontex Status

EU agencies on 28 29 March

agreements with Mauritania and Senegal
•

ASOP partnerships to be launched with Egypt March and
Tunisia April

•

Funding support new regional anti smuggling programme
for North Africa €30 million for adoption by July will
provide capacity building and equipment for criminal
justice border management and international cooperation
Regional anti smuggling programme with the Western
Balkans €30 million signed March 2023

•

Negotiations for Frontex working arrangements with Niger
and Senegal ongoing Negotiations with Mauritania latest
round on 8 March

13 The Commission will complete work in the

first half of 2023
measures

to

on

ensure

a

that transport operators

do not facilitate irregular migration

through

•

targeted toolbox of

outreach

targeted

to

including

on status

agreement

Commission held meetings with relevant airlines on 10
March follow up workshops bringing together EU experts
and airlines’ operational teams to take place in April

•

transport

operators

Another aspect of addressing the consequences of using air
travel is by confirming and extending the action already
taken by Serbia North Macedonia Montenegro and Albania
to align visa free access to the Western Balkans

14 The Commission will work with Member

•

States to ensure a targeted use of resettlement
and complementary pathways along the
main

and

migratory
provide
funding to expand safe and legal avenues for
protection
routes

The EU will provide at least EUR €480 million funding for
resettlement and humanitarian admission for 2023 2025

settle

to

around

50000

persons

and

further

develop

community sponsorship

new

•

High Level Resettlement Forum will meet in May to
discuss resettlement pledges and humanitarian admission

stepping up innovative practices

this will be supported by

technical discussions with Member States
15 To

attract

particularly

skilled

workers

in

technologies

new

to

the
and

EU

Call launched under the Asylum Migration and
Integration Fund for complementary pathways linked to
labour mobility 17 January

•

June Commission initiative on the recognition of

to

facilitate the recruitment process including
through easier recognition of skills and
qualifications the Commission will present
new initiatives by the end of 2023

•

and it will

qualifications of third country nationals

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President’s letter EUCO conclusions

develop a
employers

online

new

in

finding

platform
talent

to

support

that

matches

Follow up
•

Autumn Commission proposal for a new EU Talent Pool

labour market need

EU Action Plans

•

EU Action Plan for the Central Mediterranean adopted on 21 November with 20 Actions
all either completed or ongoing

In force
•

EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans adopted on 5 December with 20 Actions all
either completed or ongoing

•

preparation

EU Action Plan on the Eastern Mediterranean route draft in preparation political
contact taken with Member States most concerned launched on 9 March

Under
•

EU Action Plan on the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean route draft in preparation

political contact taken with Member States most concerned launched on 10 March

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