Foreign Affairs CommitteeFurther Supplementary written evidence from the Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

During my 11 November evidence session to the Foreign Affairs Committee, on Extremism and Political Instability in North and West Africa, I agreed to write to Committee members with further information on UK policy on migration.

The EU Task Force Mediterranean (TFM) was set up following the Lampedusa tragedy, to help ensure such accidents could not happen again. A Commission Communication, which sets out the proposed EU response based on the work of the TFM, was considered at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels on 5 December, and it was discussed and welcomed at the December European Council. We believe a collective EU approach is the best means of addressing such a difficult problem.

The UK broadly supports the comprehensive series of measures contained in the Communication (attached). These measures focus on practical co-operation with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean, to prevent migrants from undertaking such dangerous crossings, and to enhance protection in the region for those requiring it, as well as preventative action in countries of transit and origin further afield.

The UK is already engaged in some of the Task Force proposals. For example, we participate in the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); and we contribute to Frontex operations. We would consider joining further operations in the Mediterranean if called upon to do so, in order to help save lives and to combat people-smuggling and the criminal gangs who facilitate it.

The UK has been at the forefront of those countries who wish to focus attention on countries of origin and transit as a way of addressing the problem at source. A huge amount needs to be done, and we are assisting with capacity-building and good governance programmes in a number of countries in Africa.

20 January 2014