Ref. Ares(2019)3258814 - 17/05/2019
REPORT
Date of
06 July 2018, 09:30-13:00- 5th Operational Committee of the EU
meeting
Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing the root causes of
irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa (EUTF) North of
Africa window
Location
Brussels, Albert Borschette Conference Centre, room 4A
Participants NEAR (Chair: Michael Köhler;
), DG
HOME
), EEAS
EU Member States, European
donors (Switzerland and Norway), African partner countries (Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt).
Purpose of
1. Opening remarks by DG NEAR, HOME and EEAS
meeting
2. Presentation on the state of play of the North of Africa window’s financial
situation, non-substantial amendments and strategic orientations
3. Presentation for approval of the fifth pipeline with three programmes
totalling €90.5 million
4. Presentations on the state of play of project implementation, the North of
Africa window Monitoring & Evaluation Framework and Research Facility.
Issues
1. Opening remarks and adoption of the agenda:
discussed
The Chair (DG NEAR) opened the floor by framing the situation in the Central
and Western Mediterranean Routes as well as the progress made by the EU in
responding to the various challenges in Libya. The Chair recalled that the North
of Africa window has become the preferred tool to operationalise commitments
at EU and international level in this region. He also recalled the importance of
the programmes submitted for adoption, which respond to the European
Council Conclusions of 28 June, in particular by stepping up support to border
management in the region. The Chair added that with the programmes
submitted for approval the North of Africa window has almost reached an
envelope of EUR 500 million in programmes committed. He informed that the
Labour migration programme (EUR 15 million) had been withdrawn from the
agenda the day before the meeting upon request from Germany that required
further reflection on the programme before submitting it again to the
Operational Committee for adoption.
DG HOME recalled the importance of the EUTF for Africa in the
materialisation of EU political commitments and the effectiveness of the
actions implemented. It stressed the good cooperation and synergies between
the European Commission and European External Action Service as well as
International organisations (i.e. UNHCR and IOM). DG HOME highlighted the
importance of programmes submitted for approval following the European
Council Conclusions of 28 June. Finally, DG HOME commended the good
cooperation with partner countries in the North of Africa region.
EEAS underlined that the EUTF for Africa was the success of good
cooperation and synergies between the European Union and its Member States
as well as other donors. EEAS commended the efforts carried out by partner
countries in responding to the various challenges of irregular migration. EEAS
stressed that these challenges go beyond the North of Africa window. In this
respect, EEAS commended good cooperation with the African Union and the
importance of reinforcing cooperation in countries of origin.
2. Presentation on the state of play of the North of Africa window’s
financial situation, non-substantial amendments and strategic orientations
The Trust Fund Manager thanked Member States for their recent contributions
to the North of Africa window budget (recent contributions coming from
Visegrad countries, UK and DK) and informed that currently the window’s
budget is composed by EUR 346.3 million of EU contributions and EUR 203.7
million of Member States’ contributions, making an overall amount of EUR
552 million.
The Trust Fund Manager reported on the current financial situation of the North
of Africa window: out of a total allocation of €552 million, €371 million has
been committed, €178 million contracted, and €78 million disbursed.
The Trust Fund Manager informed about a recent commitment by the European
Commission to allocate €145 million following readjustments from unallocated
IPA funds and new allocations from heading IV of the EU budget. She
informed that with this contribution the funding gap of the window stands at
€80 million but underlined that possible supplemental needs in the follow up of
the recent European Council Conclusions have not yet been factored in. In this
respect, the Trust Fund Manager and the Chair called donors for continued
support.
Members of the Operational Committee thanked the Trust Fund Manager and
her team. Several Member States and partners shared their regret concerning
the withdrawal of the Labour Migration programme and informed that they
looked forward to its future adoption. DE requested additional details on the
level of funding for Voluntary Humanitarian Return and reintegration activities
carried out by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). DE and DK
inquired about the future replenishment of the EUTF for Africa and in
particular the North of Africa window after the announcements made during the
European Council 28-29 June (i.e. transfer of EUR 500 million from the 11th
EDF Reserve to the EUTF for Africa). DK and DE also inquired about the
future pipeline of the North of Africa window. EG regretted the slow process of
contracts.
The Chair informed that indeed EUR 145 million from the EU Budget are
already in the pipeline for the North of Africa window’s budget. The Chair
underlined that, among the three windows of the EUTF for Africa, the North of
Africa window is the window benefiting the most from Member States and
other donors’ contributions and commended efforts in this regard. The Chair
recalled that discussions on the future pipeline of the North of Africa window
and its financial situation take place regularly at COREPER level accompanied
by an explanatory note. Nevertheless, the Chair stressed that additional needs
will arise, in particular in the follow up to the European Council Conclusions.
The Trust Fund Manager underlined that the North of Africa window strategy
responds to the priorities spelled out in the recent Council Conclusions. She
informed that more information would be provided on the progress of project
implementation in the last point of the Agenda and that additional information
could also be provided after the meeting. Concerning the contracting process of
projects in Egypt, the Trust Fund Manager recalled that Egypt has requested to
amend the Financing Agreement of programme Enhancing the Response to
Migration Challenges in Egypt (ERMCE) programme. In addition, the latter
will have to be ratified by the Egyptian Parliament. Consequently, the EU is
actively working on the contracting of the projects, but will not be in a position
to implement them until this process is completed.
Upon the request of DE, the Trust Fund Manager assured to provide more
detailed information on the use of funds so far, including a detailed breakdown
by implementing organization and respective project components and sub-
components.
3. Presentation for approval of the fifth pipeline with three programmes,
totalling €90.5 million
All three programmes were approved, with a number of suggestions for their
implementation.
The Chair gave the floor to the Trust Fund Manager and her team to introduce
the projects.
• T05-EUTF-NOA-REG-07 - Border Management Programme for the
Maghreb region (BMP-Maghreb) – EUR 55 million
The programme aims to mitigate vulnerabilities arising from irregular migration and
to combat irregular migration. The action aims to do so by enhancing the institutional
framework of interested countries to protect, monitor and control the borders, while
ensuring the free movement of bona fide travel ers and goods.
Due to the late transmission of the Action Fiche on 29 June 2018, DE
requested to submit the programme for adoption through written procedure
while acknowledging that it did not contest the relevance and importance of
such action. Overall, the members showed no opposition to the adoption of the
programme
in situ. NO
requested reassurances about the compliance of the
programme with OECD-DAC ODA-eligibility standards. FR, NO, DE, NL,
UK, SE, BE, DK recalled the importance of operational work on border
management to human rights and due diligence, in particular to respect the
principle of
non-refoulement. In this respect, members agreed on the
importance to increase efforts to strengthen the link between border
management and human rights, as it is the case in the Sahel. In the same vein,
some Member States inquired on the monitoring of the implementation. SE and
DK inquired about the budget allocation and the procurement procedure.
The Programme Manager explained that the Action Fiche was the result of
close cooperation with partner countries and included several missions, the last
formulation mission having been agreed upon only shortly before the
Operational Committee. Concerning the absorption capacity, the Programme
Manager informed that the programme will follow a phased-approach which
will allow the programme to move forward according to the implementation
progress. The Programme Manager concurred to reinforce the language on
human rights and informed about the possibility to contract third party
monitoring (i.e. OHCHR in a similar way to the tasks they will be soon
performing in Libya).
Concerning the compliance with OECD-DAC standards, the Trust Fund
Manager reassured that this was the case but also offered to consult the DAC
Committee in Paris if required.
The Chair emphasized the longstanding experience of the implementing
partners identified under this programme.
The Action Fiche was approved. A revised version which takes into account
comments of Member States on the human rights dimension of the Action is
annexed to the minutes.
• T05-EUTF-NOA-MA-03 - Assistance aux personnes migrantes en
situation de vulnérabilité – Maroc – EUR 6.5 million
The programme aims to facilitate access to basic services for vulnerable migrants and
improve capacities of local associations and organisations to deliver those services
effectively.
Overall, members expressed their support for the proposal. BE, FR, ES, DE
recalled the importance of ensuring complementarity and synergies with other
programmes (e.g. GIZ implementing a similar programme “RECOSA”). BE
asked for more information concerning the targeted group, on how the
available access will be measured and on the areas/ regions of intervention. In
addition, BE asked for further clarifications on the composition and mission of
the Steering Committee, in particular the level in which the Moroccan
authorities will be represented (local, regional or national). Given their
presence in the country, and their upcoming programme under the EUTF, BE
expressed their interest in being part of the Steering Committee. DE asked for
additional information on the role and composition of the Steering Committee.
BE, FR, ES and NO asked for additional details on the selection criteria for
CSOs stressing on the need for transparency as well as on their absorption
capacity. DE requested that an ex post evaluation should be carried out.
MA welcomed this new proposal, stating that his represents a new stage for the
implementation of migration and asylum strategy in Morocco.
The Trust Fund Manager confirmed that the EU Delegation is well aware of
the different ongoing activities in the country and ensured participants that this
had been taken into account when drafting the proposal. She mentioned that
several coordination platforms and coordination groups already existed on
migration programmes. The EU Delegation is notably chairing the local
coordination group on EUTF programmes, where updates on progress in the
framework of coordination groups (such as the one co-chaired by the Ministry
in charge of migration affairs and Switzerland) are regularly exchanged.
Concerning the target and the geographical scope, the Trust Fund Manager
explained that the EU Delegation to Morocco had based the proposal on
experience of previous action. In any case the target group are the most
vulnerable people, irrespective of their status, whereas the geographical scope
will be specified during the contract negotiations.
Finally, the Trust Fund Manager highlighted the fact that it was the first time
that the North of Africa window opted for this implementation modality (i.e.
call for proposals). Transparency will be fully ensured through the publication
of the call comprising clear selection criteria. Support to solid organisations in
the field will be ensured.
The Action Fiche was approved.
• T05-EUTF-NOA-LY-06 - Integrated approach to protection and
humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and stranded migrants in Libya -
€29 million
The objective of the programme is to reinforce its support to the protection of
refugees and migrants in Libya at disembarkation points, in detention centres, in
remote southern desert areas and urban settings.
Overall, members welcomed this additional support aiming to reinforce
protection, assistance and resilience of migrants and host communities in Libya
and expressed appreciation on the integrated approach promoted herein, adding
search and rescue in the desert and labour migration components to ongoing
protection interventions. This support is a new top-up to the Mixed Migration
Programme adopted in April 2017. The latter will continue to be replenished
according to needs, taking into account the pace of implementation of the two
implementing partners (IOM and UNHCR).
DE and DK insisted on the necessity to keep a cautious approach as regards
improvement of conditions in detention centres and to balance it by advocating
for and promoting alternatives to detention, so that EU does not end up
supporting the perpetuation of the arbitrary detention system currently
prevailing in Libya for irregular migrants. DG NEAR confirmed its alignment
with this approach and clarified that only light rehabilitation of basic
infrastructures in detention centres was supported. This type of intervention
carried out by IOM was closely scrutinized.
DE, SE, UK, BE and SK underlined the necessity to ensure close monitoring of
EU interventions in Libya and requested additional information on the type of
monitoring put in place, in particular as regards third party monitoring. The
programme manager explained that a contract was about to be signed with
OHCHR (under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace) for
monitoring the human rights situation of migrants in Libya and increasing
accountability of Libyan stakeholders in that respect. In addition, a regional
project implemented by Global Initiative against Transnational Organized
Crime in consortium with Clingendael Institute had just started to monitor
trends in Libya and in the wider region in relation to irregular migration as well
as smuggling and trafficking businesses. Finally, the Programme Manager
explained that DG NEAR was currently working on the setting up of third party
monitoring at project level.
The importance of working on a centralised registration system implemented at
disembarkation points and in detention centres was underlined by DE, FR and
BE in order to increase accountability of Libyan counterparts and improve the
protection of migrants.
The Action Fiche was approved.
4. Presentations on the state of play of project implementation, monitoring
& evaluation framework and research facility.
Programme Managers delivered a presentation on the current state of play of
projects implemented in Libya. This was followed by a presentation of IT on
the state of play of the Integrated Border Management Programme in Libya.
Due to the lack of time, it was agreed that the presentations would be shared
together with the minutes.
With no other business on the agenda, the Chair called the meeting to a close at
13:40.
Main
• The EU took note of the concern expressed by the Operational Committee
outcomes
about the late distribution of documentation for the meeting.
• The three programmes were approved by consensus.
Follow up
• The Action Document of the Border Management Programme will be
actions
adapted along the comments of MS and re-circulated.
• The next Operational Committee of the North of Africa window is planned
end of November.
Document Outline