TALLINN, July 6 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) ministers of interior Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to take urgent action by stepping up coordination to find the right balance between the principles of solidarity and responsibility on migration pressures.
At the first day of an informal meeting held here, the ministers of interior reached a common understanding on using all available tools of the comprehensive migration policy and, more specifically, on the need to accelerate the collective work in implementing priority actions with the aim to reduce the migratory pressure along the Central Mediterranean route and to step up support to Italy.
The measures include increasing engagement with Libya and other key third countries, reviewing and better coordinating maritime operations to save lives at sea and fight smugglers, and achieving tangible results regarding the return of irregular migrants.
The ministers also affirmed their full support to Italy in implementing an effective migration policy, reducing pull factors, securing 100 percent identification, registration and fingerprinting of all migrants.
They welcomed Italy's commitment to fully implementing the current asylum acquis and return policies and pledged to take all steps needed to guarantee that all those eligible from Italy are relocated.
Ministers stressed the need to continue the work with utmost priority on the legislative proposals under the reform of the Common European Asylum System.
The two-day informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers of EU member states focuses on the security and safety of Europe.
