The Portuguese Presidency reported also on the progress of the work on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Solidarity and responsibility with respect to migration remain among the main negotiating issues of the New Pact.

The shape of cooperation with third countries, including readmissions of their own citizens or individuals who illegally arrived in the EU through their territories, continues to be an area in need of urgent action.

For Poland, the external dimension of migration, in particular the realistic possibility of readmission, the fight against illegal migration and the effective border protection, is key to effective asylum and migration management. Therefore, appropriate steps should be taken to employ instruments available as part of the visa, development, and trade policies to sufficiently motivate migrants' States of origin to improve their cooperation with the EU. The process may not prejudice the authority of individual EU Member States regarding their own asylum and migration policies.

Considering the scale of illegal migration from North African countries and the security aspect, Poland has supported the Presidency's initiative to further cooperation with countries of the region in the area of justice and home affairs. However, these actions require appropriate coordination.

A joint meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers is scheduled to be held on Monday 14 March 2021 to discuss possibilities for enhancing cooperation in the area of returns and readmissions with countries of origin and the transit of illegal migrants.