EU Statement on “Threats associated with the irregular migration of people across the OSCE region”
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The European Union is determined to strengthen security at its external borders and ensure their effective control, in line with EU and international law. The European Union will continue to step up its action to prevent irregular departures and loss of life, to reduce pressure on EU borders and on reception capacities, to fight against smugglers and to increase returns. This will be done by intensifying cooperation with countries of origin and transit through comprehensive mutually beneficial partnerships, to address root causes and to fight trafficking and smuggling with a view to preventing loss of life and irregular departures.
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The European Union remains committed to breaking the business model of traffickers and smuggling networks, including instrumentalisation, and to tackling the root causes of irregular migration so as to better address the flows of migrants and avoid that people embark on such perilous journeys. Safe and legal pathways in line with national competences of Member States are key for regular and orderly migration. In addition, we will consider new ways to prevent and counter irregular migration in line with EU and international law.
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The European Union reaffirms its commitment to countering the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes by the Russian Federation and by Belarus at its external borders. Russia and Belarus, or any other country, will not be allowed to abuse our values, including the right to asylum, and to undermine our democracies. The European Union stands in solidarity with those Member States facing these challenges.
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We recall the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive in March 2022 for refugees from Ukraine fleeing Russia‘s war of aggression, which contributed to effectively mitigating smuggling and trafficking risks.
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Finally, the European Union will further strengthen its cooperation with international organisations. The OSCE with its comprehensive approach to security is well-placed to support and, where appropriate, complement the efforts undertaken by other international organisations.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.