on the latest
incident off the Italian coast
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep sorrow regarding the latest
incident off the Italian coast.
The
daily tragic loss of human lives in the Mediterranean is unacceptable. The
growing migration crisis must be tackled immediately, with a broad,
comprehensive and long term EU approach based on protection, prevention,
practical solidarity and fair sharing of responsibilities.
Enhancing legal migration and maximising the positive impact of well
managed migration on development; combating criminal networks of migrant
smuggling and trafficking of human beings; capacity building and development in
third countries of origin and host countries of refugees can significantly
reduce incentives to engage in high risk forms of migration. The European Agenda
on Migration that will be adopted in May is an important step for setting up
effective and sustainable actions to address migratory challenges.
Most
importantly, it is our duty and responsibility to continue to address the root
causes of migration, in the widening arc of instability, displacement and
humanitarian crises that is our immediate neighborhood.
We
welcome the inclusion of the issue of migration as a formal point on the agenda
of today’s Foreign Affairs Council and look forward to HR/VP’s presentation of a
set of proposals for Libya, one of the main routes of illegal trafficking of
migrants.
