(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, DEC 05 - "The answer to our migration problems is European, the best way to deal with it is to work together".
This was stated by the Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas presenting a plan of 20 concrete actions for the Western Balkans.
The Action Plan for the Western Balkans identifies 20 operational measures structured in 5 pillars, explained Schinas.
That is, "strengthen border management along the routes, speed up asylum procedures and support reception capacity, combat the smuggling of migrants, improve cooperation on readmission and repatriation and achieve alignment of visa policy".
The measures focus on the support or actions of Western Balkan partners and action in the EU.
The aim is to strengthen cooperation on migration and border management with Western Balkan partners, in light of their unique status in view of EU membership and their continued efforts to align with EU standards.
"We have been clear that there is an imperative to act, our plan outlines 20 concrete actions that we can take immediately to reduce the numbers of admissions", specified Schinas.
(HANDLE).