Government of Portugal

06/09/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2021 15:06

Portugal notes EU’s steps forward in the external dimension of migration 'We are pleased with the agreement in principle reached regarding the European Asylum Support Office[...]

2021-06-09 at 14h29

Portugal notes EU's steps forward in the external dimension of migration

The Portuguese Minister of Home Affairs, Eduardo Cabrita, with the Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Gillian Triggs, Luxembourg, 9 June 2021 (photo: PPUE)

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The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union applauds the agreement in principle on the regulations for the European Asylum Support Office and highlights the steps taken for the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, said the Portuguese Minister of Home Affairs, Eduardo Cabrita.

At the last EU Home Affairs council of the Portuguese Presidency, also attended by the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), António Vitorino, and the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Gillian Triggs, the Portuguese Minister of Home Affairs congratulated the steps taken in the field of Home Affairs.

'We are pleased with the agreement in principle reached regarding the European Asylum Support Office regulations' claimed the Minister after the meeting, which he presided, in Luxembourg. Eduardo Cabrita reiterated that 'in the last weeks of our Presidency we shall remain committed to moving forward in the other fields of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum', for which, he added 'all the legislative measures are analysed and the questions that require political assessment have been identified'.

The Minister was also pleased with the work undertaken on 'one of the European Commission's main commitments, yet also one of the main areas on which the Portuguese Presidency is focused: to reinforce an integrated migration management strategy as a normal phenomenon for life in Europe, where migration is positive for Europeans'.

Addressing the subjects discussed by the 27 MS in the last few months, the Minister claimed 'there has been significant progress in affirming the external dimension of migration', recalling that the first Jumbo Council of the last six years was held during the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, a joint council of the Home and Foreign Affairs Ministers to focus on migration. The EU-Africa Summit on migratory flows was also held, with countries from North Africa, 'from Egypt to Senegal', he noted.

Eduardo Cabrita also highlighted the fact that the approval of the Blue Card directive also happened during the Portuguese Presidency. The aim is to attract highly qualified workers. The rules to remove terrorist content online was also approved during this semester and is already in force, as well as the strengthened legal framework for the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.