Spain
Ref. Ares(2014)757330 - 17/03/2014
Policy dialogue with Spain - 5 July 2013
Allocation
AMIF
ISF-B
ISF-P
Total
257.1 M €
195.3 M €
54.2 M €
506.6 M €
Asylum, migration and integration
The increase in
asylum requests in 2013 underlined the importance of improving Spain's reception
conditions and asylum procedures, especially for vulnerable persons and the importance of
establishing a contingency planning and monitoring system to better identify and address possible
shortcomings. Spain will continue to support resettlement and relocation activities.
Integration actions, in accordance with the European Agenda for Integration and based on Spain's national
integration strategy will be cornerstones of the programme. Local, regional and national aspects of
this strategy will be enhanced. The normal source of EU funding to support measures for the labour
market integration will be the European Social Fund, AMIF will focus on more targeted specific TCN
issues including asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. Assistance to
unaccompanied minors, especially 'badly accompanied minors' (minors accompanied by the wrong
people who use them for their own benefit) as well as women will be a priority in Spain national
programme. As regards
return policy, the focus will on further improvements to the conditions in the
Centres as well as in the temporary reception centres and to increase use of voluntary return,
including reintegration measures in the countries of origin. Reintegration projects and actions
strengthening third countries' capacities to implement EU readmission agreements are extremely
important to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of EU Return policy. There was also agreement
on the need to strengthen the forced return monitoring system as a mechanism to ensure
compliance with EU
acquis.
Internal security – Borders and visa
As regards the use of modern technology at the border, Spain will invest in the improvement and
expansion of the use of ABC gates, including at its maritime borders. Other systems which will also
be developed are the future Entry Exit System (EES) and the Registered Travellers Programme (RTP)
as well as the Advanced Passenger Information (API). Support will be given to the further
development of
EUROSUR and
cooperation with third countries in the area of border management
and surveillance, whether through the national programme or Union Actions.
VIS and SIS and
consular cooperation mechanisms constitute also one of the main priorities of ISF.
Internal security – Prevention and combating of crime and crisis management
In the area of internal security, it was agreed that a strategic approach will be followed and a
prioritisation will be made of actions to be implemented with EU funding in the national
programmes. Cross-cutting actions such as training and information exchange are the most
important. More specifically, for Spain,
drug trafficking and cooperation with third countries is
extremely relevant. The other strains of the programme are strengthening the national capability,
develop national infrastructures and train experts dealing with counter-terrorism, and
anti-
radicalisation, protection of
victims of terrorism, exchange of information on terrorism threats and
acts (including continuation of Early Warning System and SCEPYLT projects), protection of
critical
infrastructure, and fight against
cybercrime or
trafficking in small arms. Development of
exchange information mechanisms was also recognised as a priority, together with
other transversal issues like
protection of critical infrastructure and Spain's increased participation
in the
2014-2017 Policy Cycle.