EPP Group to discuss EU migration and trade policy without taboos in Milan

Next week, on 23-24 April, the EPP Group Bureau will gather in Milan (Italy) to address two different topics that are both pressing challenges for the EU: migration and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

On migration, the EPP Group has been insisting for a long time on the need for a new, coordinated and global EU common approach on this issue and will raise concrete proposals on how to tackle the different aspects of the problem.

The EPP Group thinks that on migration, no issue should be beyond discussion. It's time to break taboos.

The choice of Italy for this Bureau meeting is highly symbolic because of its central position in the Mediterranean Sea where every day hundreds of migrants try to reach EU shores.

EPP Group MEPs will exchange their views on how to address current trends of global migrations and asylum in particular; the role of Frontex and how to improve EU external border control; cooperation with Mediterranean third countries: the key for combatting irregular migration, smuggling and trafficking.

The EPP Group Bureau will also debate the TTIP and the transatlantic dimension of EU trade policy, just weeks before the European Parliament decides on its position and days before the opening of the Universal Exhibition of Milano 2015 (Expo Milano 2015).

Italian Party Leaders, Ministers, the EPP Group leadership, the EPP Group Bureau MEPs, experts and stakeholders will participate at the meeting.