Granada, 6 October 2023

(OR. EN)

Declaration by the President of the European Council

Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response. Irregular migration needs to
be immediately addressed in a determined manner. We will not allow smugglers to decide who
enters the EU. We will continue to effectively and speedily implement all our decisions. We will
pursue a comprehensive approach to migration which combines increased external action, mutually
beneficial comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit, addressing the root
causes of migration, opportunities for legal migration, more effective protection of EU external
borders, resolutely fighting organised crime, human trafficking and smuggling, instrumentalisation
of migration as a hybrid threat, stepping up returns, and internal aspects, in compliance with
international law, EU principles and values, and the protection of fundamental rights.

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