Written answers

Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

EU Agreements

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on current and potential EU agreements on migration and refugees with countries that have questionable human rights records; and his views on the securing of European borders taking precedence over the rights of migrants and the need for a more compassionate approach to migrants by the European Union. [18230/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The EU has responded to the migration crisis by adopting a range of measures. These have included engaging with countries of origin and transit to address the root causes of migration including through bespoke Migration Compacts; agreeing a plan to relocate migrants from Italy and Greece across the Union; the launching of Operation Sophia to disrupt people smuggling in the Mediterranean; and substantial financial assistance to countries hosting large numbers of migrants.

EU Heads of State and Government also concluded a landmark migration deal with Turkey in March 2016, which has resulted in a very substantial reduction in the number of migrants risking their lives at sea and entering the EU from Turkey. €3 billion has been earmarked for the EU-Turkey Refugee Facility to help the estimated 2.8m migrants and refugees being hosted by Turkey. The Facility focuses on humanitarian assistance, education, migration management, health, municipal infrastructure, and socio-economic support. Ireland’s contribution to the Facility is almost €23m.

Human rights and humanitarian values are at the core of the EU and Member States’ approach under the Partnership Framework. We are committed to enhancing human rights safeguards in all negotiations on migration and mobility and to ensuring cooperation frameworks with third countries are built on these principles.

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