Migration Co-ordinator

Partners' work by themes - European Union: Irregular migration

Eurojust and Frontex sign Memorandum of Understanding
Warsaw, 18 December 2013

Following the conclusion of successful negotiations commenced in 2011, Eurojust signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with Frontex.

The signing ceremony took place today at Frontex headquarters in Warsaw. Representing Frontex were Mr Ilkka Laitinen, Executive Director, Mr Gil Arias, Deputy Executive Director, and Mr Duco van Heel, Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. Ms Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust, was accompanied by Mr Mariusz Skowroński, National Member for Poland. Ms Coninsx was invited to Poland to meet with the Minister of Justice, HE Marek Biernacki.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Eurojust and Frontex is to "define, encourage and improve cooperation" between Eurojust and Frontex in order to "support the fight against serious cross-border crime, such as smuggling and trafficking in human beings". Both Eurojust and Frontex will establish a contact point to coordinate cooperation between the two organisations. […]

Border, migration and asylum laws need to comply with fundamental rights, says FRA
Vienna, 18 December 2013

The EU needs to ensure the implementation of its border, migration and asylum laws comply with fundamental rights, says FRA on International Migrants Day on 18 December.

Many people are fleeing violence and persecution, trying to find safety in Europe. Too often, they become vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, and some never even reach Europe.

Some resettlement of refugees to Europe has taken place, but an established scheme for protected entry to Europe does not exist. Many are forced to undertake the dangerous journey to find safety. Desperate to leave, they are exploited and abused in return for being transported across the Mediterranean, often in unseaworthy boats, as happened in October off the coast of Lampedusa. This led the European Commission to set up the Task Force Mediterranean, which has suggested a number of ideas on how to reduce the death toll at sea. […]

Successful action against people smuggling and illegal immigration
The Hague, 17 December 2013

Fourteen members of a Pakistani organised crime group (OCG), suspected of smuggling irregular migrants into the European Union, have been arrested in a joint operation by French, Portuguese and Spanish law enforcement authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol.

In simultaneous actions on 13 and 14 December, judicial and law enforcement authorities conducted the successful operation in France and Portugal, supported and coordinated by Eurojust and Europol. More than 100 field officers were involved in the action day. In some situations, French police officers were operating in Portugal and a Portuguese police officer was operating in France. […]

Cecilia Malmström signs the Readmission Agreement and launches the Visa Liberalisation Dialogue with Turkey
Brussels, 16 December 2013

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, in Ankara at the invitation of the Turkish authorities, signed, with the Turkish Minister of Interior Muammer Güler, the EU-Turkey readmission agreement, and initiated, jointly with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu, the EU-Turkey Visa liberalisation dialogue.

The two events took place in a combined and parallel manner within the framework of a single ceremony, with the participation of the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish Minister for European Affairs, Egemen Bağiš, and the Ambassadors of all the EU Member States represented in Turkey. […]

Roma discrimination: end illegal expulsions and ethnic profiling, MEPs say
Strasbourg, 12 December 2013

EU countries must stop illegal expulsion of Roma people and end ethnic profiling, police abuse and human rights violations perpetrated against them, says Parliament in a non-binding resolution adopted on Thursday. It assesses member states' strategies to boost Roma integration and calls for more funds to prevent discrimination and reach small community projects.

The resolution condemns attempts by EU countries to unlawfully limit the right of Roma people to freedom of movement in the EU. With an estimated population of 10 to12 million in Europe (approximately 6 million living in the EU), Roma people are the biggest ethnic minority in Europe.

The Commission and member states must ensure sufficient funding for Roma integration, from both national budgets and EU programmes such as the European Social Fund or the European Regional Development Fund. MEPs also suggest providing special grant schemes, such as flexible and small funds for community projects. […]