Joining forces against people smugglers
The EU and Africa are working together to curb irregular migration and offer prospects to young people.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel described it as the start of a new phase of cooperation. The mere fact that the EU-Africa Summit in November 2015 saw EU heads of state and government sit down at the table with representatives of 35 African states to talk about migration was a success in itself. And the outcome of the summit meeting in Malta was also remarkable: in the summit declaration, both sides describe a more active fight against the root causes of migration and against irregular migration as a joint task that is to be undertaken in mutual responsibility. The participants agreed on an action plan to address the root causes of migration and to combat irregular migration. As Merkel explained, the latter can “take place in the African states themselves – through better governance, through better involvement of civil societies, through economic growth and prospects for young people”. The EU has set up a trust fund for migration projects. This is aimed among other things at addressing the root causes of migration by making increased efforts to ensure peace, stability and economic development, at curbing people smuggling, at promoting legal migration paths and at greater cooperation when it comes to sending migrants back. To this end, the European Commission is making available 1.8 billion euros, with the member states making further contributions to the fund. Germany is additionally offering bilateral help, says Merkel. “We will for example additionally roll out African Union programmes focusing on the training of young people.” ▪
