Migration and forced displacement are global phenomena. The EU works with third countries and international partners to better manage migration and mobility along different migratory routes. This cooperation helps address the challenges and harness the opportunities linked to international migration while also promoting safe and legal alternatives to irregular migration. For the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), migration is both a strategic priority and a key area of the EU’s engagement in its immediate neighbourhood.
All EU actions and external partnerships are guided by international law and the protection of fundamental rights. These include the protection of vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The EU is committed to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and combating smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings. The EU also supports voluntary returns and sustainable reintegration of returnees in their countries of origin and the returns of irregularly staying migrants to their countries of origin. EU action and partnerships also cover legal migration and labour mobility.
The EU follows a whole-of-route approach in its cooperation with countries of origin and transit along the main migratory routes. In addition, it also relies on cooperation with relevant EU agencies, including the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA), and Europol, as well as with the UN and other international partners.
The external dimension of EU migration policy is based on a comprehensive approach to migration and asylum. This approach is guided by the Conclusions of the European Council, the five-year European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy 2026-2031 and the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Pact underlines that migration should not be addressed in isolation and should form part of comprehensive, balanced, tailor-made and mutually beneficial partnerships with countries of origin and transit. These partnerships should generate mutual benefits in areas such as the economy, development, stability and security, education, skills, and people-to-people contacts.
In line with this approach, and in full coordination with EU Member States as Team Europe, the EU is strengthening its partnerships along migratory routes, notably through regional EU Action Plans.
Accession and Policy Alignment
For countries on the path to EU membership, alignment under Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom, and Security) is a core component of the accession framework and process. It requires candidate countries to progressively align their national legislation, visa policies, and asylum systems with the EU legislation, including with the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Important topics such as legal migration, combating irregular entry and smuggling, asylum procedures, return policies, and visa policy harmonization are covered within this framework.
Western Balkans
The Western Balkans remains a top strategic priority for the EU, with efforts aimed at securing borders and dismantling criminal smuggling networks. Work is carried out through strong and continuous cooperation with the region in line with the regional EU Action Plan for the Western Balkans. A key focus of this partnership is supporting partners in aligning their national visa policies with the EU. This contributes to preventing irregular migration and maintaining the well-functioning visa-free travel regime between the region and the EU.
As part of the accession process, the EU also provides substantial financial and technical assistance to strengthen national asylum registration, protection, and reception capacities in close cooperation with the EUAA. Active status agreements with Frontex reinforce these efforts by allowing European Border and Coast Guard to participate in joint operations alongside national authorities of partner countries.
Türkiye
The EU-Turkey Statement provides the overall framework for migration cooperation, reinforced by the EU Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean Route. The EU remains committed to assisting Türkiye and host communities through a comprehensive approach:
- Migration Management Assistance: Joint work focuses on preventing irregular departures, combatting human smuggling networks, and strengthening national border management, asylum, and reception capacities in line with international standards.
- Refugee Support: Since 2011, the EU has provided €12 billion to ensure the basic needs of refugees and host communities are met. This funding provides sustained humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education, municipal infrastructure, and socio-economic support.
Eastern Partnership
In the Eastern Partnership region, EU cooperation focuses on securing borders, managing displacement, and facilitating safe legal mobility. For candidate countries, this work also directly supports their progressive alignment with EU legislation and standards.
The EU continues to sustain standard visa facilitation and readmission agreements across the wider region. In cooperation with partner countries and Frontex, the EU promotes secure border management that fully respects fundamental rights and international standards, while facilitating legal and mutually beneficial mobility.
Ukraine
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion and the resulting displacement crisis, the EU has prioritized protection and integration through the Temporary Protection Directive. Alongside these humanitarian measures, EU assistance supports stabilisation efforts, rule of law reforms, capacity building and other reforms linked to the EU accession process. Migration, asylum, support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Integrated Border Management (IBM) play a central role in this approach, helping Ukraine manage displacement during the conflict.
Moldova
The EU provides dedicated funding to enhance the operational capacities, training, and equipment of national authorities, including Moldova’s police, border guards, and customs services. The EU also supports Moldova’s targeted efforts to combat and prevent organised crime and accelerate the digitalization of operations and training. Together, these measures help align Moldova’s border and migration management with EU standards and practices, bringing the country forward on its EU path.