Eight European Union member states – Austria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Poland – met in Nicosia, Cyprus, on May 16-17 for a Ministerial Summit on Migration.
The key outcome was a joint call to re-evaluate the bloc’s approach to Syrian refugees.
The Summit focused on the changing situation in Syria since the conflict began in 2011. While acknowledging the initial need for international protection for refugees fleeing the war, delegates highlighted significant shifts within Syria over the past 13 years.
“In light of the above, participating Member States agree on the need to re-evaluate the situation, taking into account the dynamics in and around Syria, with the aim of exploring an adjusted approach that will include more effective ways of handling the issue, on the basis of the relevant Conclusions of the European Council of April, 17th, which reaffirmed the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified returns of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR”, says the statement.
Focus on external dimension of migration
The Summit participants acknowledged the adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum as a positive step. However, they stressed the importance of effective policies concerning the external dimension of migration.
“The reform of EU migration and asylum policy must therefore continue with a reinforced focus on the external dimension of migration”, says the statement.
The member states pointed out that irregular migration, human smuggling, instrumentalization of migrants and hybrid threats against the Union, including those induced by foreign governments, cannot be tolerated, as well as the need to safeguard and preserve the principles of the EU, including respect to the core values of life, international law and international humanitarian law.
They also stressed that decisions as to who has the right to cross a Member State’s borders should be taken by the Government of the relevant Member State and not by criminal networks engaged in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.
Increased support for third-country partners
The Summit recognised the burden shouldered by countries neighbouring migration source regions.
To this end, they emphasised the need for continued and enhanced EU support to mitigate the risk of increased migration flows from Lebanon to the EU.
The U.N. human rights office stated earlier this year that based on evidence it has gathered, Syrian refugees who fled the ongoing Syrian civil war are facing gross human rights violations such as torture and abduction on their return to Syria, while women are subject to sexual harassment and violence.
Read more:
