Third progress report on the Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration

The European Commission published on 2 March 2017 its third progress report regarding the Migration Partnership Framework.

This initiative was agreed in an effort to effectively the Central Mediterranean Route, heavily used by migrants trying to reach the European coast. This initiative has thus far been developed with five African priority countries: Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali and Senegal.

The Migration Partnership Framework was established in June 2016, embedded in the European Union's Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy.

The need for more effective management of the Central Mediterranean Route was highlighted in the conclusions of the informal meeting of EU leaders held in February 2017 and in the Commission's contribution to that summit released in January.

This report was put forward on the same day as the Commission released its implementation reports relating to the European Agenda on Migration and a proposal strengthening the implementation of the EU return policy.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/425, 02.03.17: Remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos on the migration package adopted by the College ahead of the March European Council http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-425_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/369, 02.03.17: Commission reports on progress under the migration partnership framework and increased action along the Central Mediterranean Route http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-369_en.htm

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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