Commissioners Šuica and Brunner discuss migration and border management with EU Mediterranean countries

On Monday 18 May, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, and Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, attended the MED9 Interior Ministers' Conference in Rovinj, Croatia. The Conference focused on migration, external border management, and the fight against drug trafficking.

The MED9 group, consisting of Cyprus, France, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia, was established in 2013 to promote cooperation between EU Member States on general Mediterranean issues.

During the MED 9 Ministerial meeting, discussions were focused on combating illegal migration and protecting the EU's external border in the Mediterranean region. In particular, the participants exchanged views on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, including the Solidarity Pool, as well as the European Commission's proposal for a Common European System for Returns and increased cooperation with partner countries, as foreseen in the Pact for the Mediterranean. Readmission cooperation and strengthened external border management, with a revised Frontex mandate, were also discussed.

A press conference with Commissioner Šuica and Commissioner Brunner took place on Monday. An EBS recording is available.

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