The summit has gathered delegations from 35 African countries that have become countries of origin for illegal migration due to armed conflicts and a very difficult economic, social and human rights situation. In October alone, more than 200 thousand migrants made the Mediterranean crossing to Europe – as many as in the whole of last year.
According to the President, it is necessary to invest more in countries hit by unrest, wars and poverty to stop people fleeing their home countries.
"What is happening in Africa has very serious consequences for the whole of Europe. Armed conflicts, terrorism and poverty make people leave their homes and flee their country. Instability in Africa also poses a threat to the security of our people. Lithuania has experienced this recently – Lithuanian sailors have been abducted in Nigeria. Therefore, we cannot stand indifferent and be only observers. We must make a joint effort to manage the chaotic flow of refugees and eliminate the root causes of migration," the President said.
The Valletta Summit will adopt a political declaration and an action plan on joint EU and African measures to stop the influx of migrants from the African continent.
Under this plan, African countries commit themselves to engage more actively in smashing human smuggling and trafficking networks and fighting crime as well as cooperating with the EU regarding the return of economic migrants – those persons whose lives are not endangered – to their countries of origin. At present, the return of economic migrants is complicated – less than half of the persons who should be deported from the EU actually return to their countries of origin.
Ongoing armed conflicts are the main cause of the migration crisis, the President said; therefore, the EU and African countries will work together to ensure peace and stability in the region. The European Community will take a more active role in the prevention of conflicts. The EU is currently participating in 10 missions and operations which help ensure stability and contribute to fighting terrorism, piracy and violence in African countries. Lithuania is engaged in three of them.
At the summit, a special EU emergency trust fund for Africa will also be set up to help 23 African countries boost their economies, fight poverty, create jobs, and improve education systems, health and social protection. EU member states will allocate 1.8 billion euros to the fund. Lithuania will contribute 50 thousand euros.
