Communication from the Commission: Global Approach to Migration and Mobility
The Commission highlights the need for the EU to strengthen its external migration policy by setting up a Global Approach to Migration through partnerships with non-EU countries that address issues related to migration and mobility in a way that makes cooperation mutually beneficial
Migration is now firmly at the top of the European Union’s political agenda. The Arab spring and events in the Southern Mediterranean in 2011 further highlighted the need for a coherent and comprehensive migration policy for the EU.
Globalisation, demographic change and societal transformation are affecting the European Union, its Member States and countries around the world. According to United Nations assessments, there are 214 million international migrants worldwide and another 740 million internal migrants. There are 44 million forcibly displaced people. An estimated 50 million people are living and working abroad with irregular status. Only a dialogue at global level can address some of the shared challenges and concerns, through the establishment of Mobility Partnerships with partner countries to discuss in a comprehensive manner all aspects of their possible cooperation in managing migration flows and circulation of persons.