The focus was on secondary migration movements following illegal entry in the EU.

One of the major achievements of the EU is the freedom of movement and the guaranty of security, based on mutual trust. Insufficient management of external borders and lack of compliance with the existing acquis are a serious threat to this achievement and in particular to the Schengen system. It is therefore of utmost importance that in the spirit of solidarity, all EU Member States live up to their responsibilities by ensuring a functioning management of the external borders as well as a functioning asylum system in order to guarantee the area of freedom, security and justice in the long run.

Against this background, the Ministers agreed to give priority to the following measures within the framework of the “Roadmap to ensure a coherent EU response to increased migration pressure” to be drawn up by the Danish Presidency:

1 Further action to strengthen the EU borders and to mitigate the immediate pressures on them, in particular at the Greek-Turkish borders. It should imply
- Intensified support for Frontex’ operation’s such as Joint Operation Poseidon,
- a stronger implementation and monitoring of the Greece Schengen action plan,
- a framework for a more efficient cooperation with Turkey, based on a broad dialogue on security and migration, including visa issues, and a better management by Turkey of its borders and its visa policy, as well as better cooperation for readmission.

2 Strengthening of the political Schengen governance by adopting guidelines for the functioning of the Mixed Committee at political level and a political agreement on the legislative package by June 2012
- strengthening the Schengen evaluation mechanism,
- establishing a safeguard clause for exceptional circumstances,
- retaining the possibility of reintroducing internal border controls on the basis of the current provisions of the Schengen Borders Code. 

3 Continued monitoring of the post visa liberalisation process and establishment of a suspension clause in the Visa Regulation by June 2012 in order to prevent the abuse of legal migration channels.

4 Additional measures to prevent illegal immigration within the EU, in particular protecting free movement rights from fraudulent and abusive actions which undermine their integrity and challenge EU immigration controls, such as marriages of convenience  and identity fraud.

5 Increased engagement beyond the external borders of the EU, including practical cooperation with main third countries of origin and transit, with a view to ensuring the EU’s ability to return persons lacking a right to stay and to improve their capacity to manage and control migration.