During a press conference today, 11 March 2014, in Strasbourg, Cecilia Malmström underlined what has been achieved during the past five years, inter alia:

• the development of a Common European Asylum System
• the reinforced governance of the Schengen zone
• the abolishment of visa requirements for a number of countries
• a visa dialogue and readmission agreement with Turkey
• mobility partnerships agreed with Tunisia, Morocco, Moldova, Armenia and Georgia
• legislation in the fight against trafficking in human beings

However she stressed inter alia that there is still a need to:

• implement the agreed legislation and consolidate the existing framework
• open new ways for legal migration while at the same time fighting criminal networks
• address shortages in the labor market and attract talented individuals
• resettle and create channels to grant protection outside of the EU territory

Cecilia Malmström underlined that the European Union should look to safeguard democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights as it develops its policies for the coming years.

More Information:

• in the full press conference in the EU press release database.
• in the Communication "An open and secure Europe: making it happen".
• in UNHCR’s further inputs to the Strategic Guidelines for future development of the area of freedom, security and justice following the European Commission Communication “An open and secure Europe: making it happen”.