Europaudvalget 2017-18
Det Europæiske Råd 28-29/6-18 Bilag 9
Offentligt
1917337_0001.png
European Council
The President
Brussels, 27 June 2018
Dear colleagues,
As we approach the June European Council, the debate on migration is becoming increasingly
heated, and it is set to be the main point on the agenda. To better prepare our work, let me share
with you some reflections and my intentions for the summit.
After the migration crisis in 2015, it became clear that the situation had to change, which is why we
agreed to focus all our efforts on stemming illegal migration to Europe. That meant ensuring full
control of the EU’s external borders.
A number of measures were put in place to achieve this
objective. As a result, illegal border crossings into the EU have been brought down by 96% from
their peak in October 2015, which proves that we must continue these measures. However, to fully
control the external borders, we also need to be ready to make additional efforts. I will therefore
propose that the European Council endorse the following:
1. Setting up regional disembarkation platforms outside Europe, if possible together with the
UNHCR and IOM, in order to change the functioning of Search And Rescue Operations.
Our objective should be to break the business model of the smugglers, as this is the most
effective way to stop the flows and bring an end to the tragic loss of lives at sea.
2. Creating in the next multiannual EU budget a DEDICATED financial facility geared towards
combatting illegal migration. We need a flexible budgetary tool managed by those
responsible for migration, as only they are capable of ensuring effective cooperation with
the countries of origin and transit on stemming the flows.
3. Stepping up our cooperation with countries of origin and transit, and in particular our
support for the Libyan Coastguard, so that they have all the necessary resources to fully
control Libyan territorial waters.
A precondition for a genuine EU migration policy is that Europeans effectively decide who enters
European territory. Failure to achieve this goal would in fact be a manifestation of our weakness,
and above all, it could create the impression that Europe does not have an external border. The
people of Europe expect us
and they have done for a long time now
to show determination in
our actions aimed at restoring their sense of security. People want this not because they have, all
of a sudden, become xenophobic and want to put up walls against the rest of the world, but
because it is the job of every political authority to enforce the law, to protect its territory and the
border. That was, after all, the purpose of creating border guards
to guard borders.
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175 - 1048 Bruxelles/Brussel - Belgique/België
Tél./Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 97 33 - Fax: +32 (0)2 281 67 37
[email protected]
1/2
Det Europæiske Råd den 28. eller 29. juni 2018 - Bilag 9: Hyrdebrev vedr. DER 28-29/6-18
1917337_0002.png
There are voices in Europe and around the world claiming that our inefficiency in maintaining the
external border is an inherent feature of the European Union, or
more broadly
of liberal
democracy. We have seen the creation of new political movements, which offer simple answers to
the most complicated questions. Simple, radical and attractive. The migration crisis provides them
with a growing number of arguments. More and more people are starting to believe that only
strong-handed authority, anti-European and anti-liberal in spirit, with a tendency towards overt
authoritarianism, is capable of stopping the wave of illegal migration. If people believe them, that
only they can offer an effective solution to the migration crisis, they will also believe anything else
they say. The stakes are very high. And time is short.
Beyond migration, we will also discuss the reform of the Economic and Monetary Union. As agreed
in December, my intention is to take the first decisions about completing the Banking Union and
strengthening the European Stability Mechanism. I am convinced these are important steps that
will reinforce not only the common currency, but also
more importantly
our Union. And given
the global political context, it would be very encouraging to see Euro area governments deepening
their economic cooperation. Therefore, I welcome the fact that the Franco-German Meseberg
declaration provides an additional boost for the reform, together with other important contributions.
We must not waste this opportunity.
Last but not least, while discussing migration or the Euro area reform, it is important that we keep
in mind the geopolitical context following the G7 summit in Canada. Despite our tireless efforts to
keep the unity of the West, transatlantic relations are under immense pressure due to the policies
of President Trump. Unfortunately, the divisions go beyond trade. I will share with you my political
assessment of where things stand. It is my belief that, while hoping for the best, we must be ready
to prepare our Union for worst-case scenarios.
As for the choreography of the meeting: after our exchange of views with European Parliament
President Tajani at 15.00 on Thursday, Prime Minister Borissov will give us an overview of
progress in implementing our previous conclusions. We will then welcome NATO Secretary
General, Jens Stoltenberg, for a short exchange of views on EU-NATO cooperation, ahead of the
next NATO summit. After that, we will adopt the conclusions, with the exception of the migration
chapter. When it comes to our conclusions on trade, I expect there to be a discussion. Finally,
before we break for press conferences, we will adopt the decision on the composition of the
European Parliament. Over dinner, we will start with my information point following the G7. After
that, Prime Minister May will update us on the recent developments in the UK and then we will start
our migration debate, including the adoption of relevant conclusions. Before we finish,
Chancellor Merkel and President Macron will report on the implementation of the Minsk
Agreements.
On Friday, together with the chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, as EU27, we will review
progress in our negotiations with the UK, and we will adopt conclusions.
Finally, for the Euro Summit in an inclusive format, we will be joined by European Central Bank
President Draghi and Eurogroup President Centeno to discuss next steps in the reform of the
Economic and Monetary Union.
Yours sincerely,
D. TUSK
2/2