respects the fundamental rights and dignity of the
migrants.
“As regards the external dimension of our policy on
migration, If we want to address the root causes of
migration, if we want to resettle on a global scale,
if we want to fight smuggling, and if we want to
make sure that people who have no right to stay
are effectively returned, our cooperation with coun-
tries of origin and transit is quintessential. Our work
with third countries is already bearing fruit.
“The implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement
has drastically reduced irregular arrivals in the
Aegean, thereby also reducing lives lost. The
number of irregular arrivals to Greece has
dropped by 98% since the EU-Turkey Statement
was agreed. Thanks to our work with Turkey, we
stopped chaotic and irregular migration along the
Western Balkans route, and replaced it with legal
and safe routes.
“Similarly, with our new Partnership Framework
we have initiated genuine political dialogues with
key countries of origin and transit, mainly in
Africa. Through immediate operational measures
we try to help them reduce the number of irregu-
lar migrants, and save lives at the same time. We
also support our partners in fighting criminal
smuggler networks and improving border protec-
tion, while we also cooperate on readmissions of
irregular migrants.
“But most importantly, we want to help address
the root causes of migration, by investing in bet-
ter opportunities and a better future. This is why
we have created the EU Emergency Trust Fund
for Africa, worth 2.2 billion euros, which promotes
economic and equal opportunities, security and
development, according to the needs of each
country. In addition, we have set up a new EU
External Investment Plan with the aim of unlock-
ing at least 44 billion euros of investments in part-
ner countries.
“Moreover, the European Union remains the num-
ber one donor of humanitarian aid, taking action
to provide life-saving emergency aid to refugees,
with more than 9 billion euros already mobilised.
We are helping displaced people within Syria, as
well as Syrian refugees and their host communi-
ties in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, and Egypt.
Today one of the biggest threats to the unity and
future of Europe is the rise of populism, national-
ism and xenophobia. Such rhetoric fuels our citi-
zens’ fears and worries.
On top of that, Europe continues to face the threat
Trade with Greece
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