New European Commission’s communication on thematic programmes for the cooperation with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum

On 25th January, the European Commission approved 7 new thematic programmes in the framework of the reform of its External Actions. Under the financial Perspective 2007-2013, these thematic programmes will be a fundamental part of Community external action together with the geographical programmes. The 7 new thematic programmes will regroup the 15 current programmes and aim at simplifying and making more efficient the delivery of foreign assistance.

Among these 7 programmes, the Commission presented a thematic programme for the cooperation with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum. The programme will be based on the experience of the AENEAS programme and will cover the following five strands:

1. Fostering the links between migration and development;

2. Promoting well-managed labour migration;

3. Fighting illegal migration and facilitating the readmission of irregular immigrants;

4. Protecting migrants against exploitation and exclusion;

5. Promoting asylum and international protection.

Unlike AENEAS, the new programme will not cover countries with an EU membership perspective. The programme will support in some cases the implementation of readmission agreements signed between third countries.

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New European Commission’s communication on thematic programmes for the cooperation with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum