The Minister of Migration and International Protection participated in the meeting emphasizing:
- The need to continue discussions at EU level to tackle irregular migration in compliance with EU and International Law.
- Devise a robust EU return policy by collaborating with third states, and at the same time the need to find space for flexibility for member states to preserve practical and successful return policies.
- Support enhanced external border controls and the tackling of smuggling networks activities and instrumentalization of migration by third states.
- Collaboration with other international organisation and third states to create pathways to legal migration as an alternative to irregular migration.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. Ioannides had a meeting with Austrian Federal Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner, where there was an extensive debate on political developments in Syria and the repatriation of thousands of Syrians in the wake of government change in the country.