Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Commission presented the Action Plan on the Western Balkans ahead of the coming EU-Western Balkans summit.
In a statement released on Monday, the EC pointed out that the plan is aimed at strengthening cooperation with countries in the region on border management and migration.
Margaritis Schinas, European Commissioner for Promoting our European Way of Life, warned that “arrivals along the Western Balkan route have tripled compared to last year.”
Schinas reminded that he visited the region in October and noted that he agreed with leaders to implement measures aimed at curbing migration.
“Migration is a common challenge and something we must tackle jointly, leaving none of our member states and Western Balkan partners alone with the challenges they are facing,” he added.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson noted that the EC has been focusing on the Western Balkans for a while and added that EU ministers agreed on a common approach in October.
“In Tirana at the start of November, with Western Balkan partners, we made progress on visa alignment and the fighting against migrant smuggling,” she reminded and added that some challenges still remain.
Tighter cooperation
“With this Action Plan, we are now building on our good cooperation and we provide a path forward for continuing to work closely together,” she concluded.
The plan comprises 20 measures divided into five pillars – strengthening border management along migration routes, speeding up asylum procedures and expanding processing capacities, fighting against human trafficking, strengthening cooperation and aligning visa policies.
The EC pointed out that countries in the Western Balkans have EU aspirations and are continuing to align their regulations with those of the EU. The body added that the new plan will step up support for bloc members “facing increased migratory pressure along the Western Balkan routes.”
The body reiterated that illegal migration along Western Balkan routes has increased significantly this year, blaming “economic pressures and insecurity resulting from ongoing conflicts.”
It stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with countries in the region to curb migration, which will include alignment of visa regimes and deeper integration of aspiring bloc members.
