Statements by Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG), Elena VALENCIANO (S&amp;D, ES), Cecilia WIKSTROM (ALDE, SE) and Jane COLLINS (EFDD, UK) on managing migration along the Central Mediterranean Route during the EP plenary session (01-02/02) in Brussels.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

WIKSTRÖM, Cecilia (ALDE, SE)

VALENCIANO, Elena (S&D, ES)

MOGHERINI, Federica (IT, EC)

GABRIEL, Mariya (EPP, BG, EC)

COLLINS, Jane (EFDD, UK)

Managing migration along the Central Mediterranean Route: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, In the central Mediterranean, our operation Sofia alone saved last year more than 32,000 people. And each and every of them for me, it is a precious result of a work that finally we are doing as European Union. We apprehended also more than 100 smugglers, that are now in the hands of justice. Our migration compacts with 5 African countries, has started to substantially reduce irregular flows. For instance, the number of people irregularly form Niger into Libya, has decreased to its lowest level in years.

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Last week I presented a package of additional measures worth 200 million euros, that will feed into the discussion at the Malta summit the day after tomorrow. Of course migration has always existed, I have been even accused many times for the fact that I am constantly pointing to the fact that, first, migration used to be since a couple of decades ago form Europe to the rest of the world. Second, that if we had to live without migrants, in all our societies and all our economies, we would suffer a lot of negative consequences.

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, While we keep working to reach a political solution for Libya, there is much we can do in the meantime. Working with the Libyan Coast guard and Navy, working with the mayors and the local authorities, working with Libya neighbours, not only east and west but also south, as a Libyan neighbour ourselves, because the EU is a neighbour to Libya. And with respect, trying to help and trying to focus on as aI said a political solution that can bring the country to a stable democracy.

SOUNDBITE (French), Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG), It is true that the Libyan coast is the starting point for 90% of the migrants aiming to come to Europe, but that is not where they are from. Therefore we must continue to work hand in hand with the countries of origin. Niger is a good case in point. 70 people in May, 1500 in November. And what about the others? We need in the Eu to continue with our efforts to open up the legal pathways to migration.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Elena VALENCIANO (S&amp;D, ES), The Central Mediterranean route today is the most deadly. In just a month, more than 200 people have perished. And stabilising Libya has to be central to this, but it is of course not the only thing we need to achieve.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia WIKSTR&#214;M (ALDE, SE), It goes without saying that the EU should always contribute to stability, growth and protection of human rights and democracy in our neighbouring countries. But we should and must never, ever, outsource our own responsibilities and obligations on migration policies and people in need.Or, externalise our borders.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jane COLLINS (EFDD, UK), The best way to stop the huge numbers of people illegally coming into Europe, and to stop the large numbers of tragic deaths in the Mediterranean is surely to turn the boats back. And process the migrants off shore. This is what Australia did, and it worked.