Ahead of the meeting of Heads of State and Government in Malta on 3 February 2017, the Commission and the High Representative have today set out their contribution to the discussion on how to better manage migration and save lives along the Central Mediterranean route. The Commission and the High Representative are presenting a number of additional measures to strengthen the EU’s work along this route, in particular with and around Libya. These actions are focused on fighting human smuggling and trafficking networks, helping to manage migratory flows more effectively, continuing to save lives at sea and improving the living conditions of migrants and refugees in Libya and neighbouring countries.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Too many people are still dying in the Mediterranean. We have implemented actions to address the situation but we need to do more. Today we are presenting possible short and medium term actions to address the flows to and from North Africa. First and foremost, stability in Libya and the region as a whole is required. While continuing our support to this process, we can take forward actions to help make a difference, save lives and break the smugglers’ and traffickers’ business model – which will also impact the flows towards Europe.”
A press release and a Q&A are available.
