Migration is a European challenge that requires comprehensive and coordinated solutions. These can only be found when acting together. The European Commission is committed to strengthen its efforts and support to its Member States in addressing the challenges of migration in a sustainable manner. Efficient border management, swift asylum and return procedures are essential for a well-functioning migration system.
To address the current migration challenges, the Commission President’s letter of 26 January and the European Council of 9 February 2023 called for implementing key operational actions in the area of border protection, asylum and return. One of the targeted operational actions foresees setting up pilot projects in interested Member States for fast asylum and return procedures.
Following close cooperation between the European Commission and the Romanian authorities, an agreement was reached on launching a pilot project in Romania today. The pilot project foresees the implementation by Romania of several tools in the area of asylum, returns, border management and international cooperation, building on the good Romanian practices in these areas. The pilot project will be implemented with strong operational, technical and financial support of the Commission and the key Home Affairs EU agencies (EUAA, Europol and Frontex).
This is a concrete important deliverable of Romania’s high-level commitment and support for sustainable migration management solution at EU-level based on its strong track-record in managing migration. Romania, in its strategic geographical position, bordering Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova, plays a key role in securing our common external border, effectively contributing to managing migration and ensuring a high level of security.
Quotes
I want to warmly thank Romania for agreeing to showcase at European level best practices on fast asylum and return procedures, building on their good practices and solid cooperation with the neighbouring countries. With this pilot project, Romania brings an extremely valuable contribution to the common effort at European level to manage migration challenges in an effective, common and united way. The Commission will provide its full support.
We decided to join this project as a signal of Romania’s deep commitment and substantial contribution to the implementation of the European Council conclusions. Especially in these challenging times, our agreement today shows once again that Romania is acting in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility at the EU level and continues to play an active part in shaping common solutions to migration and border management, building on Romania’s best practices in these areas. We decided to work together – Romania, the European Commission and the EU agencies in order to further strengthen our operational tools for external borders and migration management and thus stimulate further enhanced efforts across EU.