The EU will begin to focus on a more effective EU migration and asylum policy, after irregular migration appears to have dropped by 63% in 2017, the EU has announced at a press conference in Brussels revealing its progress when it comes to migration.

Collective efforts will also be put towards the further protection of the EU's external borders, cooperation with partner countries to tackle the root causes of irregular migration, improve the protection of migrants and the fight against smugglers.

The commission, who was represented by Vice-President Frans Timmermans, and High Representative Federica Mogherini also called for further concerted action by the EU, Member States and partner countries to better manage migration together.

Mogherini said: “In the last two years, our energy has been dedicated to tackling, in a humane and effective way, one of the most challenging phenomena of our times. We have been supporting the IOM and UNHCR in helping people in distress and assisting voluntary return. We have put in place the External Investment Plan that will mobilise €40 billion in private investments.”

"We are exiting crisis mode gradually and we are now managing migration in a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility, inside and outside the EU,"Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said.

Resettlement

The EU resettlement scheme adopted in July 2015 is due to be successfully completed and resettlements under the EU-Turkey Statement are continuing at a steady pace – in total, over 25,700 persons have been resettled since the launch of the schemes.

Member States should  also continue pledging to reach the target of at least 50,000 places in order to start the planning of concrete resettlement processes, including supporting the evacuation mechanism from Libya in cooperation with UNHCR.

It was noted that return rates at EU level remaining unsatisfactory, and this was an area which requires the commitment of all to ensure concrete progress is made. For their part, Member States are asked to collect and provide better data on returns to enable a better assessment of the effectiveness of returns.

Under the EU-Turkey Statement, the Greek authorities also need to step up the efforts and provide adequate resources to ensure effective returns to Turkey and deliver on this key element of the Statement. Only 1,969 returns have been carried out so far since March 2016.

Delivering on return and readmission

 In September, the Commission launched a new scheme to resettle at least 50,000 of the most vulnerable refugees, in particular along the Central Mediterranean route, by October 2019

With the conclusion of an agreement on Standard Operating Procedures on return with Bangladesh in September, progress has been made on a key element of the EU's approach to better managing migration. 

Engagement with Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Mali will be stepped up, and the ongoing readmission negotiations with Nigeria and Tunisia should be finalised as soon as possible.

Addressing root causes and saving lives

Since September 2017, the EU has continued to step up its support to address the root causes of migration; namely the €3 billion contract under the Facility for Refugees by the end of 2017.

The EU Trust Fund for Africa, worth almost €2 billion, is increasing stability and resilience by supporting economic development and migration management in countries facing crises.

There has also been an increased focus in the migrant situation in Libya; with CNN recently reporting that migrants are being auctioned across the country.

Through cooperation with the UNHCR, UNICEF and the IOM. Almost 4,000 migrants and more than 2,000 displaced Libyan families have received medical assistance and basic support, while medical help and assistance is being delivered to more than 14,000 migrants in detention centres.

There have been 70 smuggling and trafficking cases, 65 arrests and 37 imprisonments, in the last year.