The renewed ‘Global Approach to Migration and Mobility’ proposed by the Commission will strengthen dialogue and cooperation with non-EU partners, and contribute to Europe’s prosperity, taking into account the evolving demographic and economic changes faced by the EU. It will also favour a more migrant-centered approach, empowering migrants and strengthening their rights in countries of origin, transit and destination.
“Mobility of third country nationals across the external EU borders is important as it applies to a wide range of people, such as short-term visitors, tourists, students, researchers, business people or visiting family members and linked to visa policy,” a press release said, adding: “To ensure prosperity, Europe must become a more attractive destination in the global competition for talent.”
"We are setting up a strategic policy framework for migration and development which is clear and consistent,” said Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs. “The EU will be better equipped for migration governance at home and globally only if it further reinforces its dialogue and cooperation with partner countries. The new EU Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) represents the strategic framework which is necessary to bring added value to the EU’s and Member States’ action in this area,” she said.
Priority will now be given to two main operational frameworks:
Mobility Partnerships will be offered to the EU's immediate Neighbourhood and to Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt in the first instance. These offer a concrete framework for dialogue and cooperation and are focused on facilitating and organising legal migration, effective and humane measures to address irregular migration, and concrete steps towards reinforcing the development outcomes of migration. Concluding visa facilitation and readmission agreements will be part of these partnerships.
For other countries, the Commission proposes to set up Common Agendas on Migration and Mobility that will constitute an advanced level of cooperation, based on a number of common recommendations, targets and commitments for dialogue and cooperation.
Migration and Mobility Resource Centres will be set up to provide resources and support to individuals and partner countries in the areas of skills and labour matching. The online
EU Immigration Portal launched today will, in addition, help migrants to make more informed choices about migration and mobility towards the EU.
The new approach aims to be more integrated with EU foreign policy and development cooperation, as well as with the EU's internal policy objectives, notably the Europe 2020 Strategy but also employment and education policies.
Since 2005, approximately 300 migration-related projects in non-EU countries have been funded by the European Commission, amounting to a value of € 800 million (see
fact sheet for concrete examples).
The original Global Approach to Migration was adopted in 2005 and was designed as a policy framework to address all relevant aspects of migration, in a balanced and comprehensive way, in partnership with non-EU countries.
