The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Commission have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the area of migration and mobility.

The agreement provides for simpler and more efficient methods of cooperation by simplifying and streamlining the procedure for contractual negotiations between the EU and the IOM. It is applicable to any operation, programme or project administered by IOM and financed or co-financed by the European Union.

At the signing ceremony, Commissioner Piebalgs said:

"Migration also has an impact on developing countries. With more than 200 million migrants worldwide, the EU is committed to addressing issues that affect them and to helping countries which face migration-related challenges. Thanks to this new agreement, we will boost our cooperation with IOM and we will be more efficient in reaching those migrants who need our assistance."

IOM is one of the main implementing partners of the European Union in the field of migration policy, notably with regard to the Global Approach to Migration.

Cooperation with IOM feeds into the wider goal of a balanced and comprehensive EU migration policy. It will help Europe make the most of the benefits brought by migration, such as enriched cultural societies and better economic development and performance in the long term, both in the EU and in the migrants' countries of origin.