Ministerial Conference on the Central Mediterranean Migration Route, 20 March 2017

Interior ministers mainly from the central Mediterranean region held a meeting on 20 March 2017 to ramp up efforts to curb migration from Libya. The meeting was also attended by European Commissioner for Migration, who addressed the conference.

The group releases a declaration of intent which limited itself to promising increased coordination and information-sharing in a bid to tackle the root causes of migration, as well as combat smuggling and strengthen borders.

The Commissioner stated in his speech that hard work was being undertaken to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the North African and European countries in tackling migration flows.

• Primary Source

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

EurActiv, 21.03.17: European, North Africa ministers seek to curb Libya migrant flows http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/european-north-africa-ministers-seek-to-curb-libya-migrant-flows/

ESO: Background information: Malta Declaration by the members of the European Council on the external aspects of migration: addressing the Central Mediterranean route http://www.europeansources.info/record/malta-declaration-by-the-members-of-the-european-council-on-the-external-aspects-of-migration-addressing-the-central-mediterranean-route/

Times of Malta, 20.03.17: Eight European countries to work with Tunisia on central Mediterranean migration issues http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170320/local/eight-european-countries-to-work-with-tunisia-on-central-mediterranean.643012

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