European Union - Jean-Yves Le Drian’s participation in the informal joint meeting of foreign and home affairs ministers (via video conference, 15 March 2021)

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Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, took part in an informal joint meeting of EU foreign and home affairs ministers via video conference on March 15, together with Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior.

The meeting was devoted to the EU’s migration policy and its relations with countries of origin and transit. It provided an opportunity to deliver a European message of action and mobilization on a key issue that constitutes one of the pillars of the Pact on Migration and Asylum proposed by the Commission and which plays an important role in finding a balance between solidarity and responsibility.

France called for the resolute strengthening of partnerships with priority third countries, based on a review of all EU levers and operational resources in order to help develop and strengthen cooperation on migration issues with third countries, notably with respect to returns.

In the interests of effectiveness and credibility, all tools must be utilized, notably within the framework of the 2021-2027 financial programming of the new European Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument. France highlighted the need for coordination between member states and with the European institutions in order to achieve the goals of the common migration policy.