Speech: Remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos at the launch of the European Migrant Smuggling Centre

Text of a speech by Commissioner Avramopoulos at the launch of the European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC) on 22 February 2016.

Europol launched EMSC, whose goal is to proactively support EU Member States in dismantling criminal networks involved in organised migrant smuggling. The Centre will focus on geographical criminal hotspots, and will build a better capability across the European Union to fight people smuggling networks.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: The EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-action-plan-against-migrant-smuggling/

ESO: Background Information: Remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos following his visit to Europol and the official launch of JOT MARE http://www.europeansources.info/record/remarks-by-commissioner-avramopoulos-following-his-visit-to-europol-and-the-official-launch-of-jot-mare/

Politico, 22.02.16: EU police agency launches anti-smuggling center http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-police-agency-launches-migrant-smuggling-center-europol/

Europol: Press Release, 22.02.16: Europol launches the European Migrant Smuggling Centre https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/EMSC_launch

Europol: Report, February 2016: Migrant smuggling in the EU https://www.europol.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/migrant_smuggling__europol_report_2016.pdf

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