Home Department written question – answered at on 8 December 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with EU Ministers about illegal immigration from North Africa into the EU; and if he will make a statement.
holding answer
The Home Secretary has held various discussions with other EU Ministers about illegal immigration from North Africa, both bilaterally and at EU level, including at recent JHA Councils and at the G5 in Evian. It has been a UK presidency priority to make progress on this issue.
Illegal migration across the Mediterranean is an humanitarian problem affecting source, transit and host countries alike. Discussions have focused on the need to take urgent action to prevent loss of life at sea, tackle human trafficking and assist transit countries in North Africa to build capacity to manage migration flows more effectively. In parallel, there is a need for the EU and African countries to work in partnership to develop a comprehensive, long-term approach to strengthen and enhance dialogue and practical co-operation and to address the root causes of migration.
This approach was recognised by EU Heads of State at the informal summit in London on
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