"More efforts are needed to reduce the number of irregular migrants, in particular from Africa, and to improve return rates," the final statement said. The statement says EU countries aim to "apply the necessary leverage, by using all relevant EU policies, instruments and tools, including development and trade" in order to reduce migration flows and return migrants. Under international law, EU countries must admit genuine refugees fleeing war and persecution, as in Syria and Afghanistan, but can block or send back migrants deemed job seekers, who Brussels say account for most of the African migrants. Unlike Turkey, it is difficult for EU countries to work with still lawless Libya to curb the migrant flow and possibly easier to try to ease poverty in Africa. Development aid should be "used for reducing poverty and inequality, not for reducing mobility," it added.

Source: Daily Nation June 07, 2020 07:30 UTC