With the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties, special focus is also placed on how to consolidate the European Union, enabling it to respond more effectively to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The EU-Turkey agreement has clearly demonstrated that it is possible to stem migration flows: the number of migrants arriving to Europe through Balkan countries has been reduced by 95 percent. But there is an increasing risk of new migratory flows due to the ongoing political turmoil and deepening poverty in Africa. More than 180 thousand people arrived in Italy via the Mediterranean route last year. The number of those who perished at sea is reaching a new high every year.
The President emphasized that the Mediterranean must not become a sea of despair. To prevent new migration waves and loss of life, the European Union must fight human smugglers, secure its external borders and address the root causes behind migration by cooperating with African countries.
In Malta, EU leaders exchanged views on how to help Libya which has become the gateway to Europe for illegal migrants. It is necessary to strengthen Libya’s fragile institutions, enhance its capacity for border management and fighting the smuggling business. It is also necessary to work more closely with neighboring countries to prevent migration flows from reaching this country. Up to one million migrants live in Libya, and it is therefore important to improve their living conditions. Leaders intend to allocate more than 200 million euros from EU funds to implement these assistance schemes.
Lithuania will also contribute to curbing migration from Libya by delegating its servicemen to the EU mission in the Mediterranean Sea to help secure its external maritime borders, prevent people smuggling and save drowning people.
At the present moment, more than half of the migrants who arrive in Europe are fleeing not war, but economic decline. Therefore, European leaders are discussing ways to step up cooperation with the migrants’ countries of origin in Africa and to help them overcome poverty and economic inequality. The President pointed out that the EU needed to have an effective policy of returning economic migrants. Financial assistance to African countries must be linked to their willingness to accept back their nationals illegally present in Europe.
In light of the approaching EU anniversary, the Malta summit has placed special focus on making the Community stronger. According to the President, the European Union has ensured peace for six decades, creating a secure future for millions of people. Lithuania well understands the importance of the European Union and enjoys the benefits of EU membership. To improve public confidence in the European Union in all countries, it is necessary to safeguard European security by strengthening border protection, fighting propaganda and hybrid threats. It is also important to maintain the economic welfare of all people: to boost growth, to reduce poverty, social exclusion and unemployment, and to invest in education and new technologies.
According to the data released by the European Parliament, 86 percent of Lithuanians think that EU membership is beneficial to their country.
