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EMN POLAND PRESIDENCY CONFERENCE - „Countering irregular migration and addressing its root causes”

24.06.2025 Warsaw/Poland
EMN Poland Presidency Conference 24 JUNE 2025
Office for Foreigners
place: Royal Castle in Warsaw
Fot.Irek Dorożański / repoimages

The conference of the European Migration Network as part of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council on “Countering irregular migration and addressing its root causes” was held at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Deputy Ministers from EU Member States, high-ranked officials from the European Commission and EU Agencies, governmental representatives of third countries as well as international organizations gathered to discuss important challenges such as:

 

  • Strengthening the management of the EU's borders as a response to irregular migration.

The European Union has been actively working to enhance the management of its external borders and address the challenges posed by irregular migration. This involves operational measures to strengthen border controls, improve migration management, and increase its preparedness. For this purpose, the EU is engaging in partnerships with countries of origin and transit to reduce and prevent irregular migration. Comprehensive partnerships are part of this strategy.

 

  • Prevention and response to migrant smuggling in the framework of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling.

Uncontrolled and irregular arrivals caused by migrant smuggling put systems under strain and undermine effective migration management. These journeys can be extremely dangerous, and smugglers frequently expose migrants to both life-threatening risks and violence. The loss of lives as a result of migrant smuggling demands an assertive and urgent response at EU and global level. The mobility of people needs to be managed through the adequate policy channels and legislation, not by organised criminal groups. Only a comprehensive and sustainable approach, like the one proposed by the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, based on the three pillars of prevention, response to migrant smuggling and alternatives to irregular migration, can result in progress. Collective efforts require a combination of robust actions, complementing mutually beneficial partnerships with countries of origin and transit, addressing the root causes of irregular migration, and fighting organised networks of migrant smugglers and traffickers in human beings.

 

  • Countering the causes of irregular migration to the European Union, promoting legal pathways and strengthening the Team Europe approach to the external dimension of migration.

Tackling irregular migration in Europe requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the causes and consequences of migration. Promoting legal migration pathways as a viable alternative, economic development in countries of origin and strengthening border management are key elements of a strategy that can help address the problem. At the same time, the protection of human rights must be ensured. By working together, the EU and its Member States, along with international partners, can deliver more effective solutions to migration challenges. The Team Europe approach ensures a unified and collaborative response to complex global issues, such as migration and development, and is a crucial element of EU cooperation in external relations.

 

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